The Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork was launched today by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Cork City Hall, which was accompanied by the launch of a public consultation on the project.
The proposed route for Luas Cork would stretch 18km between Ballincollig and Mahon Point, with up to 25 stops, servicing the city’s key destinations, such as MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands, Blackrock and Mahon.
A new public transport bridge connecting Kent Station to Kennedy Quay is included in the scheme, as well as new cycling infrastructure along much of the route.
A 1000 vehicle Park & Ride facility in Ballincollig and a Mobility Hub in Mahon are also proposed.
Cork is planned to be the fastest-growing city in Ireland over the next 20 years with a population targeted to grow by 50 to 60 percent.
Public transport projects like Luas Cork are viewed as being essential for the development of the region.
Speaking at the launch today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the announcement of the preferred route for Luas Cork as 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.
“It’s very positive to see this project progressing,” he said, adding that he’d encourage the public to engage with the consultation process and provide their feedback.
Lord Mayor of Cork City Dan Boyle said that the announcement is “very welcome”.
“A long awaited, missing, but vital, link in the city’s transport infrastructure, it will provide real choice to have more people travel by public transport, reduce car dependency, connect key locations and allow for significant additional growth in the development of city.
“The challenge is to see it constructed and operating in the shortest possible time frame,” he said.
The public consultation is open for eight weeks until Monday, June 9 at 5.30pm.
For more information, or to participate in the consultation, visit www.luascork.ie