Work is continuing on the site of the Dunkettle Interchange upgrade project in Cork.

The Dunkettle Interchange connects the M8, N8, N20, N25 and N40, and is a vital artery valve between Cork city, Ringaskiddy Port, Cork Airport, Dublin, Waterford and West Cork/Kerry.

A new dumbbell interchange will be provided to the east of the main interchange for Little Island. Improvements will also be made to the Silversprings junction on the N8 into the city.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath visited the site and said: "Up to 110,000 vehicles use this interchange every day making it one of the busiest in the country. This volume of traffic means that it operates beyond capacity during peak times and this can result in significant delays on the approach roads and the Jack Lynch tunnel.

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"The proposed project involves upgrading the existing interchange and building a new dumbbell interchange to the east of the existing tunnel to provide an integrated interchange linking the Jack Lynch tunnel, the N25 and the M8 through mostly free-flow movements, where traffic movements are not conflicted by opposing traffic (via yielding or traffic lights) as they are currently.

"On completion, the Dunkettle interchange scheme will have a hugely positive impact on traffic flow at this critical artery. The capacity of the junction will be greatly improved, reducing congestion and cutting journey times to and from the city. This will be a great boost to the economy of the region.

"The main construction phase of the contract will take approximately 3.5 years. Having spoken to the engineers and examined the plans, I am pleased to see this project progressing and I know it is keenly awaited as a very positive development for Cork."