City infrastructure: What's to come?

Several infrastructure projects were completed successfully by Cork City Council over the course of 2025, while a number of other schemes are still under construction with expected completion dates ranging from 2026-2027.

This year saw several projects reach completion, most notably Bishop Lucey Park in the city centre.

The park was closed in 2023 for redevelopment and reopened in November of this year. The reduction of green spaces has been met with criticism from councillors and the public.

Part of the redevelopment which is still ongoing is the wider Beamish and Crawford Project, which will see redevelopment of the old Counting House and surrounding plaza. This aspect has experienced delays, and is on track for completion by the end of March 2026.

Earlier this year, the Ballybrack Valley Pedestrian & Cycle Route was opened to the public. It consists of a cycling and footpaths at Maryborough Woods, controlled pedestrian crossings, and public lighting upgrades.

Completed just this month was the Rapid Deployment Pedestrian Scheme in the Northwest LEA. This has reduced road widths and improved pedestrian infrastructure in the area.

Still under construction

In the city centre, work is still underway on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm & Flood Defence Scheme.

This includes entrances to Trinity Bridge, a new pedestrian plaza at Parnell place, as well as drainage systems and pumping stations to manage flooding.

The project started construction July 2024 and was expected to take 20 months to complete (April 2026). However, it is now expected that it will not be finished until at least Q3 2026, which begins in July.

Another drainage scheme under construction is the Glashaboy River (Glanmire/Sallybrook) Drainage Scheme.

It involves the construction, replacement, and repair of several bridges and flood defences in the Glanmire/Sallybrook area.

Construction is expected to be completed in Q2 2026.

Several road improvement schemes are also still under construction. The Lenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme has been under construction since August of this year and is on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2027.

The Hazelwood Junction section of the Glanmire Roads Improvement Scheme has been opened to the public this month after its completion, with the wider project being incorporated into the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme.

Finally, the Ballyvolane Strategic Transport Corridor is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Work is currently underway on the Ballyhooly Road (North Ring Road to Fox and Hounds Junction) – this is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2026, which is in keeping with the schedule outlined at the beginning of the project.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.