Preliminary site investigation and other preparatory works are ongoing on the Dunkettle Interchange project according to Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice & Equality, David Stanton.
“The Dunkettle Interchange Project is a very important project, not just for the East Cork area but Cork County and our national road infrastructure. It is the main route for goods arriving in the Port of Cork to access the rest of the country. The Interchange links the M8 Dublin to Cork to the Lee Tunnel and on to the N40. It also serves traffic on the N25 Cork to Rosslare.
Minister Stanton continued: “I understand from TII that initial site investigation works are currently ongoing and these are due to continue until late October. Works to identify existing services in the interchange area are ongoing and it is hoped that service relocation proposals will be discussed with service providers before the end of the year.
“TII have also advised that they hope to put an advance site clearance contract to tender soon which will mainly involve clearing trees in the area to allow for a detailed site survey to be conducted. Archaeological assessment works throughout the site will also be completed in the coming months to minimise the risk of holding up the main contract works due to an unforeseen archaeological find.”
“I am informed that the main contract for the Dunkettle Interchange Project is currently out to tender. I believe Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) expect to appoint a contractor in the early months of 2018 and that given the complexity of the contract they envisage that works will take place over four years. This means that the whole project should be completed in early 2022”, concluded Minister Stanton.