N27
| N27 | ||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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| From: | Cork (W682720) | |||
| To: | Cork Airport (W672663) | |||
| Distance: | 6.4 km (4 miles) | |||
| Meets: | N8, N40, R600, R610, R851 | |||
| Former Number(s): | R600 | |||
| Highway Authorities | ||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||
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The N27 links Cork city centre to Cork City Airport.
Route
The N27 is a short but important piece of road that used to be part of the R600 in Cork and serves the airport. It starts in the city centre, branching off the N8, crossing over the River Lee, and joining up with the Cork City Inner Orbital Route. It then turns left onto the South Link Road and becomes a dual carriageway. There is a traffic-light-controlled junction with the R610. The speed limit then increases to 100 km/h for a kilometre or so and crosses the R851, which runs through Turners Cross. There is then another set of lights allowing access to the Cork Park & Ride facility before we reach the Kinsale Road Roundabout grade-separated junction with the N40 Cork Ring Road.
Up to this point, the route has been dual-carriageway but it now goes uphill with two climbing lanes and out towards the countryside. It passes through a few sets of light before ending at a roundabout. To the right is a short dual carriageway to the main airport entrance and the attached business park and hotels. Ahead the R600 continues towards Kinsale and then West County Cork.
History
The N27 was originally part of the R600, but was upgraded to National Primary status to serve Cork Airport.
The roundabout between the N27 and Cork South Ring Road used to be an at-grade roundabout. The flyover was officially opened in October 2007.
The route from the Kinsale Road Roundabout and the traffic lights with Eglinton Street used to be the trackbed for a railway line between Cork and West Cork. This opened in 1985.
Links
Kinsale Road Roundabout opening brochure [1]
RTÉ report on the opening of the South Link in 1985 [2]
