Cork City Council seeks tenders for €15m road project that will 'act as the catalyst' for south docks
The Docklands to City Centre Road Network Improvement Scheme, with an indicative cost of €15m, will include significant works to Terence MacSwiney Quay, Albert Quay, Victoria Road, Monrea Terrace, and the Hibernian Buildings.
The area is the main gateway to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the Marina Market, Marina Park, and Marina promenade, as planners hope to redevelop the docklands to build homes and create thousands of jobs.
'Funding has been secured by Cork City Council from the Local Infrastructure and Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) to implement measures aimed at unlocking sustainable transport access between the South Docks and the city centre, which will facilitate the beginning of the Docklands area realising its stated potential,' it said.
'The road improvement works will form part of [our] long-term infrastructure proposals for both the North and South Docks, which will interconnect all zones within the Docklands area as development parcels are being advanced.'
In April, city councillors approved the multi-million euro upgrade after key changes were agreed.
It paved the way for the construction of new public transport, walking, and biking links, new landscaping, and quayside parklets, and major improvements to the streetscape leading into the south docks area.
However, officials also agreed to drop the proposed residential access link, or through road, connecting Marina Terrace to Rosefield Terrace and Kingston Avenue. This was on foot of local concerns about a proposed new through road through a narrow cul de sac and potential impacts on a local grotto.
Nonetheless, Cork City Council has said it will provide a 'high-quality public realm' that will position the Cork docklands as a 'vibrant, innovative, mixed use, sustainable, socially inclusive new urban quarter'.
Business groups welcomed the original plans, with Cork Chamber saying that it shared the council's vision of 'creating sustainable transport corridors and people-centric environments'.
'Such projects will contribute to Cork's development as a sustainable city with vibrant communities and a strong quality of life,' its CEO Conor Healy said. 'In doing so, Cork will be well positioned to attract and retain investment and talent.'
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