Significant structures progressed as part of N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development

The N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development represents an investment of 280 million euro in County Cork and is progressing well since construction commenced in earnest in early 2020. Works on the 22km scheme are now well underway, with the dual carriageway and the associated structures being constructed largely offline through challenging terrain which varies through the development from hilly, remote land with rock outcrops at the western end, to low lying pasture lands to the east of Macroom.

River Laney Bridge beams…. a major Irish engineering achievement

A significant project milestone was achieved just before Christmas when seven beams each measuring 49.9 metres in length were placed successfully over the River Laney on the 15th and 16th of December 2020.

The beams were the longest precast concrete bridge beams in Ireland and Britain to be place on a structure. The 155 tonne beams were manufactured in Birr, County Offaly and transported to Macroom, County Cork with the assistance of a Garda escort over 4 nights.

The beams had just 200mm height to spare traveling through the Jack Lynch Tunnel. However, one of the biggest challenges was slowly reversing the beams into position with only inches to spare at the existing stone arch “New Bridge” in Macroom.

The development of these long beams was a collaboration by Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s bridge structures department, the manufacturer Banagher Precast Concrete, the designer Barry Transportation, Cork County Council and their engineers Mott MacDonald.

Cork County Council and their Contractor, Jons Civil Engineering / John Cradock JV Limited, are proud to see the safe and successful delivery of this most recent unique engineering design and construction achievement on the N22 project.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley noted,

“The placement of bridge beams over the River Laney represents great progress on the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom road project, and huge credit is due to all involved for delivering this aspect safely and successfully. Installing the longest concrete bridge beams as part of the largest road scheme in the country during a global pandemic is truly a reflection of our resilience. This scheme has been many years in planning and when complete, will result in a significant improvement of the N22, in terms of road safety, journey time savings, removal of traffic congestion and enhanced connectivity between Cork and Kerry.”