A report released by the Department of Public Expenditure has stated that work on the upgrade of the N20 road between Cork and Limerick, including bypasses of Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville, is expected to start in 2027, with a completion date of 2031. The cost of the project is likely to be between €1bn and €1.5bn, but of course inflation and other factors could see this cost rise in the next few years. The ‘Prospects 2023/2024’ report states that tender documents for the project contractor are set to be issued towards the end of this year, to deliver 80 kilometres of new and improved dual carriageway road between Cork City and Patrickswell, where it will join the existing motorway. The report does not say whether the new road will be a motorway or a dual carriageway. The need for bypasses of Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville have been highlighted for many years, and it might be hoped that these bypasses would be constructed first, given the urgent need for them.