Luas Cork: New Preferred Route for €2bn Light Rail Line Revealed

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has unveiled the preferred route for the proposed Luas Cork light rail system, confirming a 27-stop line running from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east. The announcement, made on Friday, April 17, 2026, follows revisions aimed at reducing impacts on local communities while enhancing access to key destinations across Cork city.

Route Overview and Key Stops

The Luas Cork project will span approximately 18.6 kilometres, connecting major educational, healthcare, transport, and cultural hubs. According to TII, the route will serve Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork University Hospital (CUH), University College Cork (UCC), Cork city centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Blackrock, and Mahon Point.

The line will feature 27 stops in total, an increase from earlier drafts, reflecting design adjustments made to improve accessibility and respond to public feedback. TII states that the preferred route builds upon the emerging preferred route shared in 2025 but incorporates refinements to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

Revisions to Minimise Community Impact

The most significant change from the initial 2025 proposal involves a rerouting through Bishopstown. Instead of following the original alignment, the tram line will now travel along Melbourn Road, turning east and running uphill past several community facilities before entering the CUH campus.

Specifically, the route will pass Bishopstown Community School, Ballinaspig Lawn, Bishopstown GAA, Highfield Rugby Club, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, and Saint Columba’s Convent before bisecting the Cork University Hospital grounds. TII says this adjustment aims to improve access to schools and sports clubs, reduce traffic congestion, and provide direct public transport links to the hospital.

To further limit adverse effects, TII confirms it is engaging directly with CUH, local schools, and sports organisations to assess land requirements and explore ways to mitigate impacts, including the potential need for compulsory purchase orders.

Project Scope, Timeline, and Cost

TII estimates the Luas Cork project will cost between €2 billion and €3 billion and take approximately ten years to construct from the point of approval. The timeline underscores the scale of the undertaking, which is positioned as a cornerstone of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).

The light rail system is intended to support a shift from private car use to sustainable public transport, walking, and cycling. It will be delivered in coordination with BusConnects and other active travel initiatives to create an integrated mobility network for the city.

Cork’s population is projected to grow by 50% over the next two decades, and TII stresses that Luas Cork is essential to enabling this growth sustainably by reducing congestion, lowering carbon emissions, and unlocking housing and employment opportunities.

Public Consultation Process

Alongside the route announcement, TII launched a non-statutory public consultation on the preferred design, which ran from 11am on Friday, April 17, 2026, until 5:30pm on Friday, June 12, 2026. The consultation invited feedback from residents, businesses, and community groups.

To support engagement, TII hosted four open-day information sessions in May 2026 at the following locations and times:

• May 6: Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross (12:00pm–8:00pm)
• May 7: Páirc Uí Chaoimh (12:00pm–8:00pm)
• May 12: The Carraig Centre, Ballincollig (12:00pm–8:00pm)
• May 13: Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street (12:00pm–8:00pm)

At these events, members of the public could review project drawings and speak directly with the Luas Cork project team. TII also confirmed that in-person briefings would be available for individuals and organisations directly affected by the proposals.

Strategic Importance and Broader Context

Luas Cork forms a central element of CMATS, which seeks to modernise transport infrastructure across the Cork metropolitan area through a combination of light rail, bus network enhancements, heavy rail upgrades, and improved walking and cycling routes.

By linking western and eastern suburbs with the city centre and major institutions, the line aims to reduce reliance on private vehicles, ease congestion on key corridors, and improve access to employment, education, and healthcare services. TII highlights that the project will contribute to national climate goals by decreasing transport-related emissions.

As Ireland’s second-largest city continues to expand, planners view Luas Cork as critical infrastructure for shaping a more liveable, connected, and environmentally responsible urban environment.