A £157 million scheme, which forms part of the wider improvements to the Irish strategic road network has opened ten months ahead of schedule.
The road which forms part of the uninterrupted motorway/high quality dual carriageway inter-urban link between Cork and Dublin provides 16 km of four lane motorway. The scheme also provides an eastern bypass of Mitchelstown, three grade separated interchanges, seven major road bridges, two river bridges, and one combined road/river bridge.
Halcrow Barry (joint venture with J.B Barry and Partners Limited) has provided engineering services, including the procurement of the advance works for the scheme and the procurement and supervision of the main works. The main construction contract was awarded in November 2007, with construction commencing shortly thereafter. For this stage, Halcrow Barry were appointed Employer’s Representative providing monitoring services on site during construction together with a technical and contract advisory role supporting the client.
Innovations
The construction contract was one of the first awarded in Ireland that utilised the Irish government’s new fixed price model forms of contract. Under the Design and Build procedure, the Contractor is responsible for both the detailed design and construction of the scheme. This has enabled the Contractor to provide quick and effective solutions to any issues arising during construction. This approach also enabled the Contractor to introduce innovative measures into the design, resulting in significant time savings for the client and therefore allowed the scheme to be completed significantly ahead of schedule and within budget.
Benefits
The improved accessibility of the region will stimulate further development and economic activity leading to increased inward investment and tourism. The scheme will remove approximately 16,000 vehicles per day from the local road network which there will be major environmental benefits to the local communities in terms of reduced noise and air pollution. In addition, by segregating strategic long distance traffic from local traffic, the new road will also result in significant reductions in both the number and severity of accidents. The new road will cut journey times by 10 minutes between Cork and Dublin.
Together with the adjoining Cashel to Mitchelstown section which opened in July 2008, Halcrow Barry has now project managed almost 55km of this strategic motorway link.
Client testimonials
“Throughout the various stages of the project, Halcrow Barry have performed their duties in a most satisfactory manner, which has resulted in a successful project to date.”
Tony Mullane
Projects Manager, Cork County Council
“The opening of the M8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown project is an exciting stage as it almost completes the main Dublin to Cork corridor. Travel times between the two cities have been greatly reduced, road safety enhanced and access between the regions considerably improved. This will provide a much needed boost for the country’s commercial and industrial sectors. Tourism will also be a winner as tourists from home and abroad will enjoy a safer and shorter journey with certainty of travel time.”
Peter Malone
Chairman of Ireland’s National Roads Authority