Proposed route revealed for long-awaited €2 billion Luas for Cork

24 proposed stops for Luas Cork have been unveiled, with the transport system expected to cost somewhere between €2bn and €3bn.

18km long and running from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, the Emerging Preferred Route (EPR) for Luas Cork was launched this week by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Cork City Hall.

TII is now inviting the public to have its say on the proposed plan, with the public consultation open for eight weeks until Monday 9 June at 5.30pm.

The proposed route for Luas Cork includes 24 stops. Between Ballincollig and Mahon Point, it will connect "key destinations such as MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands and Blackrock".

Luas Cork's 24 stops

"The scheme includes a new public transport bridge connecting Kent Station to Kennedy Quay and new cycling infrastructure along much of the route," a Transport for Ireland statement adds.

"The Emerging Preferred Route also includes a proposed 1000 vehicle Park & Ride facility in Ballincollig and a Mobility Hub in Mahon."

The Taoiseach called the announcement of the EPR for Luas Cork "a significant step in an infrastructure project that will be transformational for Cork city".

“Luas Cork will hugely improve connectivity in the city by modernising the city’s public transport network, making it more accessible and creating new opportunities for residents, visitors and local businesses," Martin added.

"It’s very positive to see this project progressing, and from that point of view, I’d like to acknowledge the work done by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and indeed Cork City Council.

“With the consultation process now open, I’d encourage everybody to take this opportunity to provide their feedback and share their views on this exciting proposal.”

Lord Mayor of Cork City Dan Boyle also called Luas Cork "a long-awaited, missing, but vital, link in the city’s transport infrastructure".

He said that it will "reduce car dependency, connect key locations and allow for significant additional growth in the development of city," adding: "The challenge is to see it constructed and operating in the shortest possible time frame."

Speaking to the Irish Examiner last month, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said that Luas Cork is now expected to cost somewhere between €2 billion and €3 billion.

TII and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are inviting the public to participate in the consultation via the Luas Cork website, where details of the proposals are published.

There will be a number of open days across the city during the consultation where drawings can be inspected and staff from TII will be available to answer questions.