THE Department of Transport has allocated €1 million in funding to pay for road improvement works at Ilen Bridge near Drimoleague, writes Jackie Keogh.

Executive engineer Niall Chamberlain said the required realignment works will be 1.2km in length and will include the construction of a new bridge over the River Ilen.

He said the realignment is needed to improve road safety because the existing road ‘has poor horizontal and vertical alignment.’

Mr Chamberlain said extensive advance works, including site clearance, fencing, drainage, and the construction of two cattle underpasses, commenced in March 2023.

The engineer advised members of the Western Division of Cork County Council that the local authority is hoping to tender the main works in May 2026, subject to OPW Section 50 formal approval, Department of Transport approval, and continued funding.

He said the project will follow on from the successful completion of realignment works at Old Court, near Skibbereen, where road resurfacing works were extended to include the bridge.

Mr Chamberlain said that project, which cost €2 million, has been finalised but the landscaping work has been delayed due to poor weather.