Dunkettle Interchange
{{short description|Road junction in Cork City, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox road junction
|country=IRL
|road_type=M
|name=Dunkettle Interchange
|image=
|image_caption=
|other_names=
|location= Cork City, Ireland
|coord= {{coord|51.904619|N|8.387997|W|display=inline,title}}
|roads=
- {{jct|country=IRL|M|8}}
- {{jct|country=IRL|N|25}}
- {{jct|country=IRL|N|40}}
- {{jct|country=IRL|R|623}}
- {{jct|country=IRL|L|2998}}
- {{jct|country=IRL|L|3004}}
|type=
|spans=
|lanes=
|const=
|contractor=
|opened= {{Start date|1992}}
|rebuilt= 1999 (flyover and 4th arm), 2024 (free-flow interchange)
|height=
|width=
|maint=
|tolls=
|map=
}}
The Dunkettle Interchange ({{langx|ga|Acomhal Dhún Citil}}) is a major road junction in Cork City, Ireland. It forms a junction between the M8, N25 and the N40, and further serves the R623 and local roads L2998 and L3004. On average, 95,000 vehicles use the junction on a daily basis.{{cn|date=April 2025}}
The junction was originally an at-grade roundabout, with a flyover in the west-east direction constructed later. In 2018, a further civil engineering upgrade to make the interchange work on a free-flow basis was undertaken by Sisk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/builder-sisk-reports-profit-jump-of-73-to-24-7m-for-2017-1.3544316|title = Builder Sisk reports profit jump of 73% to €24.7m for 2017 | website = irishtimes.com | date = 26 June 2018 | first = Barry | last = O'Halloran }} In February 2024 the rebuilt interchange costing €215 million was officially opened.{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Amy |title='Great day' as final links of Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade to open today |url=https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41329702.html |work=Echo Live |date=12 February 2024 |language=en}}
It should not be confused with the Dunkettle Roundabout which is around 750m to the west.
History
=Initial developments=
The Dunkettle Interchange was constructed in order to link the N25 to the newly constructed Glanmire bypass which formed part of the N8 at Dunkettle. The junction opened in 1992 along with the Glanmire bypass. At the time, the junction had three arms, along with two access sliproads to allow access to and from Glounthaune.{{fact|date=August 2021}}
A further significant upgrade came in 1999 when, in the order to facilitate the opening of the new Jack Lynch Tunnel, a fourth arm heading southbound was added. At the same time, a flyover of the roundabout was added to accommodate increased traffic levels. Access slip roads into and out of Little Island were also added along with access to the tunnel management building.{{fact|date=August 2021}}
A further upgrade was completed in 2006. This involved installing traffic lights on the roundabout in order to increase the capacity of the junction.{{fact|date=August 2021}}
=Further changes=
Due to the volumes of traffic using the junction on a daily basis, the National Roads Authority (NRA) and Cork County Council decided that the junction was unfit for purpose. Jacobs Engineering was appointed by the NRA to create plans to make the junction free-flow in all movements. In June 2011, the NRA presented five different solutions to create a free-flow junction,{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30500164.html|title=€100m plan to end Cork traffic nightmare|date=6 April 2011 | website = examiner.ie }} and in 2013, a scheme was approved by the planning board.{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/100m-dunkettle-interchange-project-given-green-light-231374.html|title=€100m Dunkettle interchange project given green light|date=16 May 2013 | website = irishexaminer.com | first = Sean | last = O'Riordan }}{{cite web |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/no-funds-for-easing-cork-tunnel-gridlock-318573.html |title='No funds' for easing Cork tunnel gridlock |date=6 March 2015 |accessdate=27 August 2015 |first=Sean |last=O'Riordan |publisher=Irish Examiner}}{{cite web |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/focus-on-road-projects-that-can-support-recovery-341265.html |title='Focus on road projects that can support recovery' |date=8 July 2015 |accessdate=27 August 2015 |first=Eoin |last=English |publisher=Irish Examiner}}
By September 2015, a Capital Investment Plan was unveiled by the Irish government, which secured funding for the interchange. By July 2018, Sisk had been selected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as the main contractor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/capital-investment-plan-2016-2021-the-main-points-1.2371783|title=Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021: The main points | website = irishtimes.com | date = 29 September 2015 }}
The rebuilt Dunkettle Interchange was officially opened by Tánaiste Micheál Martin on the 12 February 2024. The new development includes four roundabouts.{{cite news |last1=Maguire |first1=Mairead |title=Dunkettle interchange €215m revamp to officially open today |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/dunkettle-interchange-in-cork-to-get-a-e215-million-facelift-6297062-Feb2024/ |work=TheJournal.ie |date=12 February 2024 |language=en}} The upgrade has also involved the installation of digital signage on the approach to the interchange and the N40 to provide information to drivers around journey times and traffic issues.{{cite web |title=Intelligent Transport Systems |url=https://www.dunkettle.ie/intelligent-transport-systems |website=www.dunkettle.ie}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.dunkettle.ie/ Dunkettle Interchange upgrade website]
- [https://www.dunkettletraffic.ie/ Dunkettle Traffic] live traffic camera feeds
{{Cork South Ring Road}}