Mallow is poised to benefit from significant transport investment as part of a multi-billion euro package announced by the Department of Transport for Cork over the coming decade.
Cabinet has approved a major allocation under the National Development Plan, with transport projects in Cork expected to receive between €6 billion and €9 billion between 2026 and 2030. Among the schemes directly affecting Mallow is long-awaited progress on the Mallow Relief Road, along with major rail and road upgrades that will reshape connectivity across North Cork.
The N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road, estimated to cost between €30 million and €60 million, is advancing through its design and appraisal stages. Once delivered, the project is expected to significantly ease congestion in the town centre, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for residents, businesses and commuters. A detailed funding allocation will follow as the scheme progresses through statutory planning.
Mallow is also set to benefit from investment in the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme, valued at over €1 billion. The plan includes upgrades to the Mallow rail line, increased capacity, improved signalling and infrastructure that is future-ready for electrification — strengthening Mallow’s role as a key rail hub in the region.
At a wider level, the upgraded M20 Cork–Limerick motorway, described as a once-in-a-generation project, will bypass Mallow while improving safety and regional connectivity. Work on that scheme is expected to progress in stages later in the decade.
Announcing the investment, Minister for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer described it as the largest multi-year transport commitment Cork has ever seen, while Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the plan would shape a more connected, accessible and sustainable transport system.
For Mallow, the investment signals long-term progress, easing daily congestion, improving access, and strengthening the town’s position as a strategic transport and economic centre in North Cork.
