Work on a new dual carriageway - linking Fermoy and Mitchelstown - in Cork is to be completed ahead of schedule, with the local council suggesting the N8 road could be open by the end of this year.

A council spokesman said: "It is already apparent that a significant improvement will be achieved in relation to the originally scheduled completion date of March 2010. It is now apparent that the new road will be open to traffic before the end of this year."

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Further resources are to be employed by contractor Roadbridge Construction Limited to speed-up the works.

"A full reprogramming exercise is currently underway for the outstanding work elements. This exercise should be completed before the end of next month and a revised likely completion date will be circulated at that stage," said the council spokesperson.

Work at the site is currently divided into four main trunks, focused on building up road surface layers.

The new scheme will soon link-up with the existing Fermoy Bypass at the Moorepark Interchange, which has been described as a 'significant' step.

Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane for the duration of these works.

Traffic management systems have been put in place to eliminate possible delays.

Works around the Moorepark Interchange is expected to last for eight to ten weeks.

(PR/JM)