Over the next 20 years, more than €600 million will be spent in Cork on dedicated sustainable transport corridors

More than €600 million will be spent on dedicated sustainable transport corridors in Cork to help the city expand by 50 per cent over the next 20 years.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has unveiled the most ambitious modernization of Cork’s transport infrastructure in decades.

The €600 million plan includes 75km of dedicated bus lanes and 54km of new cycling and walking infrastructure.

It aims to support Cork’s bid to become Ireland’s fastest growing city by 2040 – thereby serving as a strategic counterbalance to Dublin.

The City of Cork hopes to benefit its population over the next 20 years with current investments in its railway station, business office capacity, entertainment infrastructure, flood defenses as well as major road projects such as the Dunkettle Interchange, the Cork Ringaskiddy Motorway and the Cork Limerick Motorway.

Cork City Council is also spending €46m to develop a medieval quarter to complement the city’s existing Huguenot and Victorian quarters.

A key element of NTA’s ambitious plan for the republic’s second-largest city is support for the government’s commitment to a net-zero future for transport.

The investment aims to reduce bus journey times on some of Cork’s busiest routes – and to promote cycling and walking as viable modes of transport to work in urban areas.

Other elements of the plan will include the introduction of a zero-emission bus fleet, new bus livery and an upgraded ticketing system.

A key target of the plan will be to increase the number of people using public transport in Cork by 400 per cent by 2040 and increase the number of people walking or cycling to work by 33 per cent.

Transport Secretary Eamon Ryan said transport investment is an integral part of helping Cork meet its development goals.

“As one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, Cork has a unique opportunity to become a leader in sustainable transport. BusConnects Cork is key to making public transport and active travel a viable option for people and communities across the city,” he said.

“The new sustainable transport corridors announced today, as well as the planned introduction of a zero-emission bus fleet, will make bus travel, walking and cycling more attractive for many more individuals and families.

“By drastically reducing bus travel times and providing dedicated cycling and walking infrastructure, sustainable transport will be at the heart of a thriving Cork city in the future.”

NTA chief executive Anne Graham said transport was vital to Cork’s future development.

“A clean, modern and reliable public transport system can help unlock Cork’s potential as a connected and competitive European city,” she said.

: This is why the NTA has announced a €600m investment in BusConnects Cork to transform public transport in the city.

“The focus of this investment is the development of the sustainable transport corridor project with 75 km of bus lanes and 54 km of cycling and walking infrastructure.

“With a 51 per cent increase in the number of bus drivers in just six years, there is a rapidly growing demand for bus services and the need for modern infrastructure to support Cork’s growth.

“Projected growth in bus travel and increased active travel investment will benefit a significant proportion of Cork’s population but will not fully materialize without the introduction of sustainable transport corridors.”