Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be here today to officiate at this sod-turning ceremony for the Cork Southern Ring Road Interchange Upgrade Scheme. This is tremendous news for Cork City and County.
The completion of the Kinsale road interchange in 2006 had a hugely positive impact on the South Ring road network. The real benefits of that investment will now be even more evident with the development of the interchanges at the Bandon road and Sarsfield road.
Once these interchanges are upgraded, the Southern Ring Road’s role as a critical piece of infrastructure will be enhanced and the investment will prove an important asset for the region. The N25 forms part of the North/South Strategic Road Corridor which runs from Belfast, via Dublin and Rosslare to Cork, thereby linking the three largest centres of population on the island and providing access to the key commercial seaports on the eastern and southern seaboards.
This new Scheme will provide the final link to a high capacity, free flowing route from the Western end of the N22 Ballincollig Bypass to the Northern end of the Jack Lynch Tunnel for longer distance strategic traffic with a projected reduction in journey time of 75% over the extent of the Scheme during peak periods. In addition it will provide high quality linkage between the N22 and N71 in the Southwest with the N8, N25 and N28 in the North East.
I have no doubt that the investment in these interchanges will pay a rich economic dividend for Cork in the years ahead and make daily life so much easier for thousands of Cork commuters. Indeed all road users, including private, commercial and tourist traffic will benefit from improved service and access along this strategic route.
Improving road safety is a big issue for me as the Minister with responsibility for roads. By upgrading the approach roads to both the Bandon and Sarsfield roundabouts, and constructing new cycle ways and footpaths along the route safety levels for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will be greatly enhanced.
Having said that, it remains the responsibility of all of us to take care on the roads. The Garda, my Department, the Road Safety Authority, the Local Authorities and others, have done sterling work to reduce the toll on Irish roads in recent years but they can only do so much. All of us have a personal responsibility out there. Please take care.
Finally, I would like to thank the National Roads Authority, Cork City Council and the contractors, SIAC Construction Ltd, for getting us to this point, and wish them well as they embark on this project.