A £25 million bypass to reduce traffic congestion was officially opened by the Minister of State for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dan Wallace, in Cork yesterday.
The Blackpool bypass will provide a direct link from the city and county boundary at Kilnap, north of Cork city, to the city centre.
It is anticipated that the bypass will lead to a 70 per cent reduction in traffic along the old N20 national route on the Watercourse Road/Thomas Davis Street corridor. The average daily traffic flow on the new route is expected to be some 12,000 vehicles.
Speaking at the opening, Cork city manager Mr Joe Gavin said the completion of the bypass was a perfect opportunity for the total redevelopment and modernisation of the entire Blackpool area.
"Cork corporation will now press ahead with its programme for the revitalisation of an area that is full of character and tradition, bringing benefits to the local community and city as a whole."
The bypass was completed eight months ahead of schedule. It was funded by the National Roads Authority and the European Regional Development Fund.
Work started on the scheme in October, 1997, with preliminary demolition and site clearance. The project was divided into four distinct construction phases with phase one starting in March 1998.
Meanwhile, the Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) should be coming before the Cork city and county council over the next few weeks.
The new strategy will place greater emphasis on the use of public transport.
Mr Gavin said a new overpass for the Kinsale roundabout should be completed by 2003. He added that the Ballincollig bypass was also a priority.
