Initial developments The Dunkettle Interchange was constructed in order to link the
N25 to the newly constructed
Glanmire bypass which formed part of the
N8 at Dunkettle. The junction opened in 1992 along with the Glanmire bypass. At the time, the junction had three arms, along with two access sliproads to allow access to and from
Glounthaune. A further significant upgrade came in 1999 when, in the order to facilitate the opening of the new
Jack Lynch Tunnel, a fourth arm heading southbound was added. At the same time, a flyover of the roundabout was added to accommodate increased traffic levels. Access slip roads into and out of
Little Island were also added along with access to the tunnel management building. A further upgrade was completed in 2006. This involved installing traffic lights on the roundabout in order to increase the capacity of the junction.
Further changes Due to the volumes of traffic using the junction on a daily basis, the
National Roads Authority (NRA) and
Cork County Council decided that the junction was unfit for purpose.
Jacobs Engineering was appointed by the NRA to create plans to make the junction free-flow in all movements. In June 2011, the NRA presented five different solutions to create a free-flow junction, and in 2013, a scheme was approved by the planning board. By September 2015, a Capital Investment Plan was unveiled by the Irish government, which secured funding for the interchange. By July 2018,
Sisk had been selected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as the main contractor. The upgrade has also involved the installation of digital signage on the approach to the interchange and the
N40 to provide information to drivers around journey times and traffic issues. ==Proposed railway station==