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Ireland's motorway network

681K views 3K replies 135 participants last post by  Auld Dubliner 
#1 ·
One area that Ireland is not lacking right now is the construction of new motorways for main routes. Ireland currently has Europes largest road building programme ongoing.

The ultimate aim is to have the following motorways by 2012 - most completed by 2010


pic sabre




Note M20 not shown on map.



M1 Dublin - Border
M2 Dublin - Ashbourne
M3 Dublin - Kells
M4 Dublin - Kinnegad
M6 Kinnegad - Galway
M7 Dublin - Limerick
M8 Dublin - Cork
M9 Dublin - Waterford
M11 Dublin - Wexford
M17 Tuam - Galway
M18 Galway - Limerick
M20 Limerick - Cork
M21 Limerick
M25 Waterford
M50 Dublin
Outer Orbital Motorway for Dublin - number unkown (not 2012)
Dublin Eastern Bypass (M50) tunnel (not 2012)

All appart from the M20 Cork to Limerick are U/C. The M1 is complete.

The NRA (National Roads Authority) has also embarked on reclassifying newly built 'High Quality Dual Carriageways' to Motorways

More http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=10193&lang=ENG&loc=2270

Note some routes not shown on this map like M20.


The aim is for Ireland to have Europes most comprehensive motorway network and we can say we are well on the way with over 400km's of motorway currently under construction. Many other upgrade schemes are also underway including for the M50.
 
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#4 ·
The old saying you know when you've crossed the border (from North to South) because the road gets bumpy has well and truly flipped over. Joke's on us.

One criticism, and its not because I'm a disgruntled Northerner. Is the most "comprehensive motorway network" something to aim for? In this era of climate change etc, should the investment not be more focused on high speed rail links? The enterprise service from Belfast to Dublin was a fantastatic innovation, but with the road improvements, even with Newry still a hassle, has almost left the enterprise an expensive luxury. The Belfast-Dublin rail link needs urgent attention. Our two main cities deserve an uninterrupted journey of less than an hour.

By the way NI is much worse re trains. Have you ever tried getting a train from Belfast to Derry? You'd need to book a day off.
 
#5 ·
I certainly agree that they should be doing more with the railways.

Last week, I had the misfortune of getting the train from Dublin to Castlebar in County Mayo. Firstly, there's only 3 trains a day so that's pretty poor (early morning, lunchtime, early evening). Ok, so there may not be that much demand for a journey from Dublin to Castlebar, but from what I could tell, on that whole line after Athlone, there's just these 3 trains a day going along it to Westport. So, people can't even jump on the train for a relatively short journey to the next town for shopping etc.

Then the journey, which is 233km (144miles) took over 4 hours on the train. A journey in the UK I made many times was from Bangor, in North Wales to London - a distance of 266miles (428km!) and that is timetabled for 3 and a half hours.

The journey to Castlebar was delayed or anything. It was even semi-express - didn't stop until Athlone. It just took that long.

A lot of it was just single track - with passing places. This may be one of the reasons for there being only 3 trains a day - less passing needed when there's just 6 trains travelling along that route.

I think they need to forget about high speed rail - and just get a service which runs at 'normal' speed. All lines should be double tracked and there should be a 'western Ireland' line linking all the regional cities up so that you can go between Galway and Limerick without having to go via Dublin.
 
#6 ·
I think they need to forget about high speed rail - and just get a service which runs at 'normal' speed. All lines should be double tracked and there should be a 'western Ireland' line linking all the regional cities up so that you can go between Galway and Limerick without having to go via Dublin.
:lol::lol:
So true, normal speed rail would be nice but hey ripping up loads of our rail network back in the day wasn't a good idea, imagine that:lol:
Also the via Dublin thin for going anywhere is ridiculous, it clogs Dublin up when those times could be used to run communter services to Kildare etc.....
 
#13 ·
Ok - quick question about the reclassification of the 'newly built 'High Quality Dual Carriageways' to Motorways' thing. Does this mean that these dual carriageways already only have 'motorway junctions' on them, or if they've got more traditional junctions (traffic lights etc.), will they be ripped out and replaced by proper ones?
 
#14 · (Edited)
All routes being changed to 'M' are 'High Quality Dual Carriageways'. This means they are built to motorway standard and need no alterations. The reason apparently to classify them DC in the first place was that it was easier and quicker then getting a motorway order. Now they just simply change the signs and up the limit to 120km/ph.

Aerial of N4 interchange





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M3 Dublin - Kells motorway update

http://www.eurolink-m3.ie/newsletter/Eurolink V3 Aug 08.pdf


Really coming along now.....


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The 90km M20 Cork to Limerick scheme has a preferred route option emerging. In March this option will be published. In June the EIS will be published. Construction will begin in 2010 on the huge scheme expected to cost 1 billion euro. It part of the Atlantic motorway corridor.
 
#16 ·
^^ in a nutshell. Could not be any other way of course.


M50 upgrade - toll plaza removal


The NRA is pleased to advise that traffic is now running on the permanent carriageway configuration at the former toll plaza site. Southbound traffic was switched in the early hours of Thursday 23rd October while northbound traffic was realigned in the early hours of Friday 24th October.
This means that there is now a seamless four lane carriageway link from the completed works south of Jct 6 (N3) across the Liffey Valley Bridge and onto the widened motorway as far as Jct 10 (Ballymount).
In order to complete the plaza removal, other works will be continuing in the immediate vicinity to finish this scheme including a new signage gantry on the southbound carriageway, permanent verge safety fencing and landscaping measures. These are programmed for completion during December 2008. However, motorists should now experience the full benefit of this element of the M50 upgrade.
 
#19 · (Edited)
M18 Gort - Crusheen motorway scheme will start construction next month


The project is part of the Atlantic Road Corridor and will see the M18 extended by 22km's between Galway and Limerick (after redesignation):)


Map of scheme on this document

http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/10978-11.pdf



Images of more M50 interchages

N2/M50


M1/M50


M3/M50 (weird hybrid)


The canal and railway (Galway line) go through this junction aswell
 
#26 ·
Minister Dempsey Turns sod on €200m Gort to Crusheen Road Scheme


“Continued investment in transport infrastructure is the key to ourfuture competitiveness”

Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport today (Friday, 14 November 2008) turned the sod to formally commence work on the new N18 Gort to Crusheen road project. This new road scheme, due for completion in 2011, will be just over 23km of dual carriageway in length and will cost €207.5 million to build.

• It is estimated that a time saving of 20 minutes or more can be attained on journeys between Ennis and Galway during peak hours.
• This road will bypass the town of Gort and the village of Crusheen in County Galway.

Speaking today Minster Dempsey said:

"This new road will eliminate one of the worst bottlenecks along the Atlantic corridor. The Gort to Crusheen project is one of the strategic links along the entire Atlantic corridor. This project emphasises the importance of investing in the road infrastructure so that business and regional economic hubs such as Limerick, Shannon and Galway can compete in this ever demanding national and global environment. The key benefits will be three fold, a safer road, direct regional economic investment and easier access for visitors. For the people of Gort and Crusheen it will give them back their towns by dramatically reducing through traffic”

The Minister added:

“Continued investment in transport infrastructure, even in these difficult times, is key to our future competitiveness. Next year Government will spend over €2 billion on our national, regional and local roads network."

Fred Barry, CEO National Roads Authority (NRA) said:

"The Gort to Crusheen scheme is another major step to linking Limerick, Shannon and Galway. As the Ennis bypass has proven, road infrastructure will continue to improve the quality of life for residents and deliver opportunities for businesses to development throughout the entire region."

The contract to build this road was awarded by the NRA to SIAC Willis JV. Work will commence at the northern-end of the Ennis Bypass and will extend to approximately 1km north of Gort.
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#28 ·
TIM O'BRIEN


ONE OF the longest sections of road in the State's motorway development programme, the 40km Cullahill to Cashel section of the M8, has been completed seven months early, the NRA is to announce today.

The new €435 million road, which is expected to take at least 20 minutes off the journey time between Dublin and Cork, bypasses the towns of Johnstown and Urlingford in Co Kilkenny, and Littleton and Horse and Jockey in Co Tipperary.

It was built by SRB Ltd, a joint venture between Sisk and Roadbridge and the commissioning local authority was Kilkenny County Council.

The new road, which is expected to open to traffic as soon as Monday next, will remove up to 16,000 vehicles a day from towns along the route, separating national from local traffic.

There is to be a temporary tie-in at the northern end, with the existing N8, south of Cullahill.

By 2010 it will tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill motorway, providing dual carriageway access all the way to Dublin.

At the southern end, the new road ties in with the Cashel bypass which was opened in 2004. The new motorway will have four level-separated junctions and 46 bridges.

This scheme was a pilot "tendered target cost scheme" under which the contractor is paid their actual costs based on an open book accounting system.

A bonus is paid if the scheme costs less than the target cost and penalties are levied if the cost exceeds the target.

In 2010, when the entire Dublin-Cork route is upgraded to motorway or high grade dual carriageway standard, the route will have two tolls, the existing one on the Fermoy bypass and a second one on the Portlaoise to Cullahill section.

This week Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey told the Oireachtas Committee for Transport that the new major inter-urban routes were still on target for completion by 2010.

The Irish Times
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#29 ·
Dublin-Cork journey time shortened


Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey yesterday opened the €434 million motorway scheme along the M8 between Cullahill, Co Laois, and Cashel, Co Tipperary.

The motorway, finished seven months ahead of schedule and under budget, will take up to 16,000 vehicles out of a number of towns on the old N8 route.

"This is an historic occasion and a major advancement towards the completion of the Dublin-Cork route," said Mr Dempsey yesterday.

"Towns and villages along the route will experience an enhanced quality of life, while drivers will benefit from shorter journey times and safer roads.

"Road safety will be greatly improved for drivers using the new motorway as they can now bypass minor junctions where many of the most serious high-speed collisions have occurred."

The new road will bypass Johnstown and Urlingford in Co Kilkenny and Littleton and Horse and Jockey in Co Tipperary.

"Ireland's island economy is heavily dependent on the efficient movement of goods and people and in this regard this road will help facilitate economic competitiveness in these challenging times," said Mr Dempsey.

The new road will connect with the Cashel bypass, which opened in 2004, and link to the Cashel-Mitchelstown section of the M8, which opened in July.

"We have seen 80km of top-class roadway open to traffic along the strategic Cork to Dublin route during 2008, providing huge improvements for road-users," said Peter Malone, chairman of the National Roads Authority.

Irish Times

7 months ahead of schedule and under budget:banana: The new section is 40 kms long.
 
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