Planning permission for the Kerry/Cork Economic Corridor is expected to be sought from An Coimisiún Pleanála late next year or early 2028.
Management at Kerry County Council (KCC) provided an update at the recent Killarney Municipal District (MD) meeting, following a motion by councillor Niall Kelleher.
He had requested a definitive update on the project, known colloquially as the Farranfore bypass.
Council management told Cllr Niall Kelleher that the N22 Farranfore to Killarney project is included on the national government's list of major road projects, worth more than €200 million, that are scheduled to begin construction or procurement by 2030.
They stated that Phase 3 Design and Environmental Evaluation works are already underway and will be completed next year (2027), ahead of the statutory application to An Coimisiún Pleanála in late 2027 or early 2028.
Ground investigation works and topographical survey fieldwork are said to be nearing completion.
Management said ecology surveys are currently underway and that engagement with landowners is ongoing.
The preliminary design for the project is also continuing.
Cllr Kelleher said the 2030 deadline for construction or procurement "is effectively just around the corner".
He also emphasised the need to take every opportunity to link the town's industrial area with the project and said it should be made as accessible as possible.
Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District (MD), Cllr John O'Donoghue, asked whether the executive is currently in discussions with landowners and how far those discussions have progressed.
He was told that, as the corridor becomes more refined and defined, engagement with landowners will become more frequent to inform them whether their land is affected by the project.
