The National Development Plan - Project Ireland 2040 - will commit to expenditure on capital projects totalling more than €165 billion. Here is a look at the impact on the Cork and Kerry.
€185 million has been committed to the creation of a Cork suburban rail network between Mallow, Midleton and Cobh by 2026.
Funded through the European Union's Recovery & Resilience Facility, Phase One of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme will see funds invested in improved signalling, future electrification, and double tracking on a route which will include six new stations in areas identified for development, including a new town at Monard near Blarney.
The National Development Plan has also committed to continue funding the development and design of a proposed new east-west light rail network for Cork City, proposed under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, but no time frame has been given for the realisation of the project.
Both the Cork University Business School (CUBS) and the Munster Technology University's Cork Campus have been earmarked for strategic investment in infrastructure and equipment.
€25 million has already been awarded to CUBS under Project 2040 to develop a new school in Cork City centre.
The NDP also included four major road projects announced originally in 2018, subject to further approvals.
These include the controversial N/M20 Cork to Limerick Road, where a preferred route is due to be announced early in 2022.
The N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton as well as the N72/73 Mallow Relief Road are also listed, as well as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy.
This M28 was the subject of an unsuccessful High Court appeal by local residents last year.
The M28 is seen as a vital road infrastructural project, given the Port of Cork transfer of its port operations from Cork City to Ringaskiddy, allowing the freeing up of large landbanks for redevelopment in tandem with plans for Cork City's docklands.
The development enables the port to accommodate larger vessels and further develop as an international gateway for trade.
Two major road projects are due for completion in 2024. The N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom bypass project, which is an essential upgrade of the main transport and tourist link between Cork and Kerry, and the M8/N40 Dunkettle Interchange at the eastern end of Cork City.
The intersection is seen as strategically important, improving connectivity between Cork, Dublin and Waterford as the city is earmarked to double its population between now and 2040.
While the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formerly called the North Ring Road) is not specifically listed as a proposed project, the plan notes that it is complementary to the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project and that Cork City Council has appointed consultants to carry out an assessment of route options.
The NDP plan also reconfirms its commitment to the renovation and redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery - a national cultural institution - with an investment of €28 million for the 200-year-old gallery.
In Co Kerry, the N69 Listowel bypass has been fully approved.
Construction is due to begin within the next six months, and it is due to be completed by 2024.
The design and consultation work on the proposed N22 Farranfore to Killarney road project is to continue, subject to further approvals but a timeline and preferred route for the scheme has yet to be identified.
