Major upgrade underway to support Swords expanding population and future transport needs

Work has officially begun on the R132 Connectivity Project in Swords, a transformative infrastructure project designed to support the town’s rapidly expanding population and growing transport needs. 

This project, in the region of €21 million and funded by the National Transport Authority, will make day-to-day movement through Swords easier by improving walking and cycling routes, strengthening east–west connections, and delivering a more user-friendly road layout.

These works are designed to address the immediate needs of a rapidly growing population, ensuring that residents experience safer journeys and better access to key areas of the town. At the same time, the project provides essential groundwork for future public transport improvements, including both MetroLink and BusConnects, which will rely on an upgraded R132 corridor to operate efficiently.

Following the awarding of the contract to Murphy, construction will commence shortly, marking a significant step by Fingal County Council towards ensuring that Swords has the infrastructure it needs now and into the future, allowing the town to remain a well-connected and thriving community.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: “Today marks more than the start of construction – it is the launch of a new chapter for Swords. By reshaping the R132 into a safer, more sustainable and people‑focused corridor, we are laying the foundations for a more connected community and preparing our County town to fully embrace the opportunities that key projects like BusConnects and MetroLink will bring. This is the beginning of a transformation that will strengthen Swords for generations to come.”

Construction is being delivered in four phases over 25 months along the 3km stretch of road between the Bostik junction and the edge of the Pinnock Hill roundabout near Airside. The first phase, which is expected to last six months, will focus on replacing the Estuary roundabout with a four arm signalised junction. This redesign will make the area significantly safer for pedestrians and cyclists while improving traffic flow and reducing conflict points for all road users.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: “As Swords continues to grow, it is vital that we match that growth with modern, future‑proofed transport infrastructure. The R132 upgrade is a key step in creating a safer, more connected town and in preparing this strategic corridor for major public transport investments such as MetroLink and BusConnects. This project will help ensure Swords has the capacity and connectivity it needs as one of the country’s fastest‑growing towns.”

Engineering and design work for the R132 Connectivity Project has been developed to integrate seamlessly with the future MetroLink alignment and the BusConnects Core Bus Corridor, both of which will run adjacent to the route. Crossings, junction layouts and active travel facilities have all been shaped to accommodate increased pedestrian and cyclist movement around planned station locations.

Eoin Gillard, Assistant Director of Transport Investment for the National Transport Authority said: “The R132 Connectivity Project represents a significant investment for Swords, improving safety, accessibility and overall network performance for current users while integrating the essential design features needed for future transport projects. This investment prepares the corridor for the future, but most importantly, it improves the everyday experience for people who rely on using this route on a daily basis.”

For users of the R132, Fingal County Council is emphasising that the road will remain open for the entire duration of the works. To help minimise disruption during the busiest times of the day, two lanes in each direction — northbound and southbound — will remain open during peak traffic hours (6:30am - 10:00am and 4:00pm - 7:30pm). This ensures that, even as construction progresses, essential road capacity is maintained at the times when most people are travelling to work, school, or making important connections. These measures are designed to keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible and ensure the R132 continues to operate as a key commuter corridor throughout the upgrade. 

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly stated: “The R132 Connectivity Project is a major step in shaping the future of Swords. As the town continues to grow, enhancing connectivity is essential, and this upgrade will help link homes, schools, businesses and future transport hubs in a safer, more integrated way. It is a key investment in the long‑term development and transformation of our County town.”