Opening of M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy Bypass 8 months ahead of schedule
2 October 2006

Completed eight months ahead of schedule, the bypass will remove some 17,000 vehicles each day away from Fermoy town centre and will shave up to 30 minutes on journey times at peak times.
The road has been constructed by the Direct Route consortium of which Sisk is a member along with Roadbridge, Lagan, Strabag and KBR.
The bypass provides motorists with 33 km of continuous motorway/high quality dual carriageway from the Dunkettle roundabout outside Cork City to north of Fermoy.
"This new bypass will make a major difference to everyone who uses the Dublin to Cork Route and will change the transport experience in a positive way for thousands of people every day",
Speaking at the official opening today, Minister Cullen said:
"The Rathcormac/Fermoy bypass is another major step in the upgrading of the major inter-urban road corridors under our Transport 21 programme. This is part of an increasing trend for the delivery of major infrastructure projects on or ahead of time and within budget. This Government is committed to implementing ambitious projects with greater effectiveness and with an emphasis on speedy delivery. All due credit must go to the NRA, Cork County Council and Direct Route (Fermoy) Ltd. for making this happen.
The new bpass will be of great benefit to the people and businesses in the localities of Rathcormac and Fermoy and their environs. The significant reduction of through traffic in both towns will also have a beneficial impact on the quality of life for many people, who will be able to go about their daily business in a more efficient way. Improved access will encourage industrial, tourist and commercial activity in the locality, and the improvement of journey times between Cork and Dublin will have positive implications for the overall regional development."