City Centre regeneration is progressing well
As transformative streetscape improvement works continue on South Main Street and surrounding streets, diversions are in place as the street is closed to motorists until mid September.
Access for pedestrians, emergencies and deliveries will continue. Motorists are asked to observe the signage outlining diversions. South Main Street is closed from the junction with Washington Street to Sullivan’s Quay. It’s expected that South Main Street will re-open on September 20.
The city’s Grand Parade Quarter project is one of the most ambitious public realm regeneration programmes ever undertaken in Cork which will see a complete renewal of the area around the southern gateway to the medieval city ( scroll down for further details). This project will help connect Grand Parade, nearby streets, historic lanes and Bishop Lucey Park with the south channel of the river and the city’s business core.
Meanwhile, with pavement restoration works on St Patrick’s Street completed, work began this week on the Grand Parade section of the project. Grand Parade is closed to north and westbound traffic until mid-September with diversions in place.
Works continue on new South Mall plaza
Construction is also underway on another transformational scheme in the city centre, the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence project. Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd. have been appointed as main contractor to carry out the works.
The project, supported by the Office of Public Works (OPW), encompasses the area along Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay between Parnell Bridge and Parliament Bridge, as well as a small section on Union Quay at Trinity Bridge.
It will deliver:
- High quality upgraded and accessible streetscape with new footpaths, public seating, new plaza space and river viewing platform at Parnell Bridge, and public space at Trinity Bridge, as well as improved public realm at Holy Trinity Church;
- Integrated flood defences which will provide protection against 1-in-100 year tidal flooding events for approximately 400 city centre properties;
- A new 3-metre-wide riverside promenade along the length of Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay;
- Rerouted traffic movement and reduced parking, to facilitate significant improvements for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists, including the provision of cycle parking;
- Refurbished and strengthened quay walls to ensure long term integrity;
- Public realm improvements at the entrances to Trinity Bridge (at Cork College of Further Education & Training), including new public seating;
- Refurbished and enhanced heritage features, including street lamps and bollards;
- Enhanced views of, and access to, the River Lee;
- Enhanced planting including trees and pollinator-friendly herbaceous plants.
Grand Parade Quarter project will transform city centre
A number of exciting ongoing public realm projects will make Cork City centre more attractive for recreation, business and cultural activity.
The €61 million investment in the Grand Parade Quarter will rejuvenate the area by upgrading the public realm around South Main Street, Tobin Street, Tuckey Street, Frenche’s Quay, Crosses Green, Wandesford Quay, and Proby’s Quay. The project includes improved access to Bishop Lucey Park, Elizabeth Fort, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the planned Events Centre on the site of the former Beamish & Crawford Brewery.
A central element of the redevelopment of the Grand Parade Quarter is a new purpose designed city library that will facilitate up to 1,000,000 visits a year. Planning has started on the library, which will be delivered in the medium term. Works are underway on the revitalisation of Bishop Lucey Park which will open up the park to Grand Parade and South Main Street, providing a safe and more attractive place or people to meet.
The recently completed MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme has provided both residents and businesses in the area with an upgraded public realm, 1.6km of new cycle lanes, 17 upgraded pedestrian crossings, 12 new bus stops, and 30,000 m2 of resurfaced roadways.
MacCurtain Street Renewal at a Glance
The MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme, which includes the city quays and adjoining streets, was completed in November 2023 and has delivered on Cork City Council’s goal to enhance access to the city centre.
At the end of 2023, Cork City Council also delivered the Grange to Tramore Valley Park pedestrian and cycle bridge and pathway whichopened up connectivity between Grange, Douglas and the city centre
The scheme gives residents, students and commuters the option to safely walk, wheel or cycle into the city reducing congestion and provides a beautiful, wooded leisure amenity.
Up to 24km new/upgraded cycling infrastructure has been completed between 2020-2023. A further 10km of cycle infrastructure is currently under construction (Mahon, Glanmire, Marina, Ballybrack, Ballincollig) with a programme of other schemes due to enter construction over the next year.
Construction has begun on the 5.6km Mahon Street Renewal Scheme, Cork’s first community-wide streetscape renewal programme aimed at providing safer and healthier streets with better pedestrian and cycle links to schools, shops, sports and leisure facilities. The scheme extends along Ringmahon Road, Skehard Road, Avenue de Rennes, Ballinure Avenue/The Maples and Castle Road.