Kerry County Council Awards €9.96 Million N70 Road Construction Contract

Kerry County Council has awarded a €9.96 million contract to Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd for the N70 Sneem to Blackwater Bridge (Tahilla to Doon) Road Project. The 18-month project involves the widening and realignment of 3.0 km of the N70 National Secondary Road to provide a Type 3 Single Carriageway with active travel facilities.

Introduction

Safe and efficient road infrastructure is essential for connecting communities, supporting tourism, and enabling economic activity. The N70 National Secondary Road in County Kerry is a vital route along the scenic Ring of Kerry, connecting the villages of Sneem and Blackwater Bridge.

Kerry County Council has awarded a €9.96 million contract to Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd for the N70 Sneem to Blackwater Bridge (Tahilla to Doon) Road Project. The 18-month project involves the widening and realignment of 3.0 km of the N70 to provide a Type 3 Single Carriageway with active travel facilities.

This investment will improve road safety, reduce journey times, and enhance connectivity for residents, visitors, and the local economy.

Why This Contract Matters

The N70 is a critical route through the Iveragh Peninsula, serving both local communities and the tourism industry. Road improvements are essential for safety, economic development, and quality of life.

This contract matters because it:

• Improves road safety: Widening and realignment will enhance safety for all road users
• Enhances active travel: Includes active travel facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
• Supports tourism: The Ring of Kerry is a major tourist destination
• Connects communities: Improves connectivity between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge
• Significant investment: €9.96 million contract
• Local contractor: Sorensen Civil Engineering is based in Cork
• Environmental focus: Includes pollution prevention and control
• Social inclusion: Accessibility for all promoted as a social objective

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 11 August 2026 (OJ S 153/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: bd803a89-ba3c-4ff4-9b1e-c1929a3fbbd1-02
• Contract concluded: 1 July 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 18 months from start

Contract Overview

Kerry County Council conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The contract covers the construction of a 3.0 km section of the N70 National Secondary Road between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge.

Key features include:

• Single lot: Road construction works
• Duration: 18 months
• Value: €9,964,951.77
• Evaluation: Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
• Location: County Kerry (South-West Ireland)
• Scope: 3.0 km Type 3 Single Carriageway with active travel facilities
• Strategic procurement: Pollution prevention and control; Accessibility for all

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Kerry County Council
Winning bidder	Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd
Contract subject	Road construction works (CPV 45233120)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Awarded value (ex-VAT)	€9,964,951.77
Estimated value	€9,964,951.77
Contract duration	18 Months
Bids received	2
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Contract signed	1 July 2026
Evaluation criteria	Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
Subcontracting	No
Strategic procurement	Pollution prevention and control; Accessibility for all

Project Scope

The project comprises the construction of a 3.0 km section of the N70 National Secondary Road between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge.

Location

• Start: Townland of Tahilla, approximately 6 km east of Sneem village
• End: Townland of Doon
• Length: 3.0 km
• Road: N70 National Secondary Road
• County: Kerry
• Region: South-West Ireland

Works Included

• Widening: Widening of the existing N70
• Realignment: Realignment of the existing road
• Carriageway: Type 3 Single Carriageway
• Active travel facilities: Pedestrian and cycling facilities
• Environmental measures: Pollution prevention and control

About the Contracting Authority

Kerry County Council is the local authority for County Kerry in Ireland. The council is responsible for delivering public services, including road infrastructure, planning, housing, and environmental services. Kerry County Council manages the N70 National Secondary Road and other key routes across the county.

About the Winning Company

Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd is a medium-sized Irish civil engineering company based in Ballincollig, County Cork. The company specialises in road construction, civil engineering, and infrastructure projects. Sorensen has extensive experience in delivering road projects for Irish local authorities and has a strong track record in the South-West region. The company's winning bid of €9,964,951.77 matched the estimated value.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Two bids were received, representing a competitive field for a specialist road construction project.
• Evaluation criteria: Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific weightings are not detailed in the notice.
• Value: The awarded value (€9.96 million) matched the estimated value.
• No subcontracting: Sorensen will deliver the project without subcontracting.
• Duration: 18 months, reflecting the scale of the road construction works.
• Strategic procurement: Includes pollution prevention and control, and accessibility for all.
• Local contractor: Sorensen is based in Cork, demonstrating local economic impact.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• No framework agreement was used—this is a direct works contract.
• Two bids were received.
• No subcontracting was declared by the winner.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• The project includes active travel facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Environmental measures: Pollution prevention and control.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish road construction market is competitive, with a mix of large civil engineering firms and regional specialists. Local authorities across Ireland are investing in road infrastructure to improve safety, connectivity, and support economic development.

Key trends in this market include:

• Active travel: Increasing focus on pedestrian and cycling facilities
• Safety improvements: Widening and realignment to improve road safety
• Environmental compliance: Pollution prevention and control are key priorities
• Regional focus: Local contractors dominate regional projects
• Public investment: Government funding supports road infrastructure projects

The N70 project reflects the Irish government's commitment to improving the National Secondary Road network.

Economic Significance

At €9.96 million, this contract represents a significant investment in County Kerry's road infrastructure. The project will:

• Improve road safety: Widening and realignment will enhance safety
• Support tourism: The Ring of Kerry is a major tourist destination
• Connect communities: Improve connectivity between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge
• Create employment: Jobs for construction workers and engineers
• Support local economy: The contract supports economic activity in the region

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the contract now awarded, future opportunities include:

• Other sections: Other sections of the N70 may be upgraded
• Other roads: Other National Secondary Roads in Kerry may be improved
• Maintenance contracts: Future maintenance of the upgraded road
• Similar projects: Other Irish local authorities have similar road projects

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, future opportunities exist for civil engineering companies:

• Other sections: Other sections of the N70 may be tendered
• Other local authorities: Similar road projects in other Irish counties
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of the upgraded road

What Businesses Should Watch

• Kerry County Council's future procurement notices
• Other Irish local authorities' road construction tenders
• National Road Authority procurement notices
• Changes to Irish road design standards
• EU funding programmes for road infrastructure

IrelandTender Procurement Intelligence

This road construction contract is a significant infrastructure project for County Kerry. Several features stand out:

• Scale: 3.0 km road widening and realignment project
• Value: €9.96 million contract
• Active travel: Includes pedestrian and cycling facilities
• Environmental focus: Pollution prevention and control
• Social inclusion: Accessibility for all is a social objective
• Local contractor: Sorensen Civil Engineering is a regional firm

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Cost competitiveness: Price is a key factor in MEAT evaluation
• Technical expertise: Demonstrating capability in road construction
• Environmental compliance: Showing commitment to pollution prevention
• Active travel: Experience with pedestrian and cycling facilities
• Regional presence: Local contractors have a competitive advantage

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing—MEAT evaluation includes cost
• Demonstrate technical expertise in road construction
• Show experience with active travel facilities
• Demonstrate environmental compliance and pollution prevention
• Monitor Kerry County Council and other Irish local authorities
• Build relationships with Irish public infrastructure authorities

Key Takeaways

• Kerry County Council awarded a €9.96 million road construction contract to Sorensen Civil Engineering
• Project: N70 Sneem to Blackwater Bridge (Tahilla to Doon) Road Project
• Scope: 3.0 km widening and realignment of N70 to Type 3 Single Carriageway
• Includes active travel facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
• Duration: 18 months
• 2 bids received
• Strategic procurement: Pollution prevention and control; Accessibility for all
• No EU funding used

Conclusion

This road construction contract represents a significant investment in County Kerry's transport infrastructure. The N70 Sneem to Blackwater Bridge project will improve road safety, enhance active travel, and support the local economy and tourism industry.

Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd's successful bid demonstrates the company's expertise in delivering complex road projects. The 18-month project duration reflects the scale of the works, which include widening, realignment, and the provision of active travel facilities.

As Kerry County Council continues to invest in its road network, further opportunities will arise for civil engineering companies with the right expertise and capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €9,964,951.77 (excluding VAT).

Q: Who won the contract?

Ans: Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, a medium-sized Irish civil engineering company based in Ballincollig, County Cork.

Q: What is being built?

Ans: A 3.0 km section of the N70 National Secondary Road between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge, widened and realigned to a Type 3 Single Carriageway with active travel facilities.

Q: Where is the project located?

Ans: County Kerry, Ireland, from the townland of Tahilla (6 km east of Sneem) to the townland of Doon.

Q: What are the strategic procurement objectives?

Ans: Pollution prevention and control; Accessibility for all.

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 18 months.

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: Two bids were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 555039-2026, OJ S 153/2026, published 11 August 2026.