The National Roads Authority (NRA) has given the green light to the Kinsale Road interchange (flyover) as part of its 2004 roads programme, writes Louise Geaney.
After years of campaigning by local representatives and the business community in Cork, work is expected to begin in August.
Tenders for the €46 million project will be awarded in June, and the flyover will be open by the end of June 2006.
At present, some 85,000 vehicles travel the Kinsale Road roundabout daily, with long delays occurring during peak traffic times.
It is now planned to construct a flyover carrying the N25 south ring road over the existing roundabout.
This will remove the traffic that wishes to travel east/west along the south ring road from the other traffic on the roundabout.
The news was welcomed by the Cork Chamber of Commerce. It described the current congestion at the junction as "notorious".
"Unfortunately, despite all the benefits from the south ring road and Jack Lynch Tunnel, the Kinsale Road roundabout became infamous throughout the country for its absence of a flyover.
"The delays are notorious, and this flyover should have been there from day one, so this is very good news for Cork," said chamber president Mr Robin O'Sullivan.
Cork City Council is currently in the process of shortlisting contractors for the grade separation of the Kinsale Road roundabout, which will begin later this summer.