A Cork TD is welcoming news that Cork County Council will apply for planning permission for the Mallow Relief Road at the end of this year.
The 5.1km road would would link the N20 near Mallow General Hospital, with the N72 by Oliver's Cross.
Businesses in the town have been choked by heavy congestion in recent years.
Minister Eamon Ryan told the Dáil that 1.4 million euro has already ben spent on the project; 80% of which was for technical consultation fees.
