Jacobs Engineering Ireland have been appointed to undertake a route options analysis and develop initial designs for the proposed Luas Light Rapid Transit project which will link Ballincollig to Mahon Point in Cork.
This planned Luas line – which will be completely unconnected to Dublin’s Luas network just to confuse us all! – will provide a high-capacity, high-frequency public transport link from the eastern to the western suburbs of Cork. It would serve a number of significant destinations including Ballincollig, the proposed Cork Science and Innovation Park, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork University Hospital, University College Cork, Cork City Centre, Kent Station/Cork North Docklands, Cork South Docklands and Mahon.
Michael Nolan, Transport Infrastructure Ireland Chief Executive Officer, said: “Light Rail has proven itself in many cities, including Dublin, and TII is very enthusiastic about working with the National Transport Authority and all the regional stakeholders in taking this project forward in Cork.”
The Cork Luas project is a key element in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and has been a long-term objective in the area under a number of local authority development plans. Both Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 makes commitments to progressing the scheme to support plans for growth in Cork.