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M8 motorway (general thread)

12357…23

Comments

  • #202
    ipodrocker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭ipodrocker


    opening august 09 that would be class, has anyone taken any recent pics of the sections?

    I know 8th dec is fast approaching will we see an early opening or is 8th dec the confirmed date?


  • #203
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Hi ipodrocker,

    I haven't taken any photos lately. I won't be taking anymore of Cashel to Cullahill. I've watched it gestate slowly over the past few months, and I know that all that remains to be done along the route at this stage is some signing and planting, pretty much. I will drive it on the day it opens; I'm sure other will snap some photos then!

    Regarding Mitchelstown to Fermoy, the majority of work seems to be going on between junctions 12 and 13 now. There have been massive bulk earthworks recently there, and they started to apply the first pavement layer early this week. So far, November has been a favourable month and they've done a lot. There is no sign yet of them merging the scheme with the Fermoy Bypass; however, the sliproads at this junction (14) are being built quite quickly.


  • #204
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Furet wrote:
    Regarding Mitchelstown to Fermoy, the majority of work seems to be going on between junctions 12 and 13 now. There have been massive bulk earthworks recently there, and they started to apply the first pavement layer early this week.

    This seems to suggest the early-opening theory may not be as accurate. I'm still hoping they'll open the 13-14 section early, but for such a (relatively) short stretch of road, I doubt they'll do that.

    Is work still going on between junctions 13 and 14?
    Furet wrote:
    So far, November has been a favourable month and they've done a lot. There is no sign yet of them merging the scheme with the Fermoy Bypass; however, the sliproads at this junction (14) are being built quite quickly.

    I think they're saving that until last...

    It'll be interesting to see how that comes together. It's part of the scheme, I feel, is quite interesting from an engineering standpoint...

    In any case, the Fermoy bypass will certainly feel very different when this section opens next year!


  • #205
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Some updates on the Cashel to Cullahill scheme, including photos, here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055311975&page=13


  • #206
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    M8 service area details should be announced during the first quarter of 2009.


  • #207
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Mitchelstown to Fermoy update here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=57943128&postcount=57


  • #208
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Just in case people aren't following the Cashel to Cullahill thread over on the Commuting and Transport forum, many new photos were added last week of the northern end of the scheme, including some pictures of signage. The 40km motorway will open to traffic on 8 December, 2008.


  • #209
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Some updates.

    The 40km Cashel to Cullahill scheme opens officially at 11am next Monday. Traffic may use the road from 1.30pm. The scheme will open replete with 56 emergency telephones from junction 7 (Cashel North) to Cullahill.

    The concrete barrier median is being erected this week along the southern half of the Mitchelstown to Fermoy scheme. Blacktop is being laid along the southbound carriageway of the northern section.

    The speed limit has been raised from 100 to 120 km/h along the N8 from Watergrasshill to Glanmire. This means the speed limit no longer drops suddenly as you leave the M8 toll road for Cork. From Glanmire to Dunkettle, a speed limit of 100km/h remains in force.


  • #210
    childoforpheus
    Registered Users Posts: 120 ✭✭childoforpheus


    Thanks again for the updates and pictures. I'm delighted to hear that the emergency phones have been installed from day one.


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  • #211
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Furet wrote: »
    The speed limit has been raised from 100 to 120 km/h along the N8 from Watergrasshill to Glanmire. This means the speed limit no longer drops suddenly as you leave the M8 toll road for Cork. From Glanmire to Dunkettle, a speed limit of 100km/h remains in force.

    I knew I wasn't hallucinating when I saw those signs. :D

    I can give a second confirmation that that has indeed happened as when I was driving a few weeks ago, I saw the 120 km/h signs covered in plastic. I presume that they have been removed. About time...

    Now all that's left to do... is bring in the blue... :D


  • #212
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    I knew I wasn't hallucinating when I saw those signs. :D

    I can give a second confirmation that that has indeed happened as when I was driving a few weeks ago, I saw the 120 km/h signs covered in plastic. I presume that they have been removed. About it...

    Now all that's left to do... is bring in the blue... :D

    Well, the blue must indeed come in. And they also badly need to reline the road, and put in new cats eyes as well. Visibility is terrible there on a very black night.


  • #213
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Furet wrote: »
    Well, the blue must indeed come in. And they also badly need to reline the road, and put in new cats eyes as well. Visibility is terrible there on a very black night.

    Yes, the road is very faded in places, and compared to the Fermoy bypass, visibility is a bit of a joke.

    I can't wait for the stretch to be redesignated, there was very little opposition (compared to the Athlone bypass and the N11 schemes). It'll mean an end to the needless inconsistency of the route (which just confuses tourists, I know, having had people over from England, the current set-up is confusing...)

    They can also get rid of the horrible "M8 (Toll)" signs while they're at it. Hideous creations that needlessly confuse the issue. "M8" and then a white "toll" box (like on the M50), will do. Also, the horrible motorway patching at the either end of the bypass can be removed as well. It looks terrible.

    Other improvements to the route, since I'm having a gripe, could be:

    > Provision of phones on the 43 km Cashel N. > Mitchelstown S. scheme. (Though this'll happen in due course I'm sure).

    > Real landscaping on the Cashel-Mitch.

    > Reflectors on the central reservation (the concrete barrier is hard to see at night).

    > MSAs (in due course, I know, but ideally they should already be under construction to tie in with the complete opening of the route in 2010).

    > Illuminated signage at junctions. (Once again, I'm not asking for lights on every little sign. Just on the 1km ADS and the cantilever at the very least).

    I am also aware that these improvements could be made to other Irish motorways, but since the M8 (and the M9) are the motorways I use most frequently, those are the improvements I'd like.

    Also Dunkettle junction needs sorting out...


  • #214
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭marmurr1916


    Furet wrote: »
    The speed limit has been raised from 100 to 120 km/h along the N8 from Watergrasshill to Glanmire. This means the speed limit no longer drops suddenly as you leave the M8 toll road for Cork. From Glanmire to Dunkettle, a speed limit of 100km/h remains in force.


    It'll probably stay like that even if/when the Dunkettle-Watergrasshill stretch is redesignated from N8 to M8.


  • #215
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭marmurr1916


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    I can't wait for the stretch to be redesignated, there was very little opposition (compared to the Athlone bypass and the N11 schemes). It'll mean an end to the needless inconsistency of the route (which just confuses tourists, I know, having had people over from England, the current set-up is confusing...)


    They must not be used to the A1/A1(M)/A1/A1(M)/A1/A1(M)..........so! ;)


  • #216
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I have 12 new photos of the Mitchelstown to Fermoy scheme up here and in the two subsequent posts on that thread.


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  • #217
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Cashel to Cullahill - which is brilliant, by the way - opened at 3.05pm this afternoon. For first impressions, read the most recent posts on this thread:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055311975&page=23


  • #218
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    3123117339_845daf04cf.jpg
    Junction 13 of the M8 under construction, December 2008.

    3123950094_d48ba6ba6d.jpg
    The M8 between Junctions 13 and 14, looking south ~ December 2008.

    3123146053_79a4098527.jpg
    M8 looking north, 4km south of Mitchelstown in County Cork, Dec. 2008.

    3123151093_b81933158e.jpg
    The M8 looking south just south of Junction 12, December 2008.

    Also, a Youtube clip of the M8 southbound between Cashel and Cahir (pardon Avril Lavigne):



  • #219
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Furet wrote: »
    Also, a Youtube clip of the M8 southbound between Cashel and Cahir (pardon Avril Lavigne):

    :p


  • #220
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    3140940619_f8a84c9223.jpg
    The M8 looking southbound at junction 9 (December 2008).

    3140970195_609c9074ef.jpg
    The M8 looking south towards Cahir (December 2008).

    3140935611_332fc5bece.jpg
    View north from the same overbridge (at the L3121), December 2008.


  • #221
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Thats nice and straight


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  • #222
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    3145811584_fa8a60d3a8.jpg
    Carrigane.

    3145807960_e5433ee175.jpg
    Slievenamon in the distance.

    3145745128_2d6cc94893.jpg
    The Galtees.


  • #223
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    HOLY CRAP THEY FUTUREPROOFED THAT SIGN


  • #224
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    HOLY CRAP THEY FUTUREPROOFED THAT SIGN

    Amazing isn't it! :D


  • #225
    Geogregor
    Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Geogregor


    Furet wrote: »

    Also, a Youtube clip of the M8 southbound between Cashel and Cahir (pardon Avril Lavigne):


    In 1min 22sec of movie you can see parking area very close to driving lines. Is it common on Irish roads? Is it just emmergency stoppig area and apart from that you have normal rest areas?


  • #226
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Geogregor wrote: »
    In 1min 22sec of movie you can see parking area very close to driving lines. Is it common on Irish roads? Is it just emmergency stoppig area and apart from that you have normal rest areas?

    Well the M6 and M8 are riddled with those hideous parking areas that shouldn't be there. The only emergency stopping area needed on motorways IMO is the hard shoulder equipped with emergency telephones. Rest areas can be provided by MSAs and towns along the route. Parking has no place on a motorway.

    Hopefully when the MSAs open those stupid rest areas will be ripped-out. They belong on lower-spec, non-motorway national roads, not 120 km/h clearways.


  • #227
    invincibleirish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,219 ✭✭✭invincibleirish


    Whats the design reasoning behind these rest areas by the road? i know they're relics from when the plans were being developed as DCs, are they for HGVs or what?


  • #228
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    invincibleirish wrote: »
    Whats the design reasoning behind these rest areas by the road? i know they're relics from when the plans were being developed as DCs, are they for HGVs or what?

    I really haven't a clue. As far as I remember, they had a policy document on the provision of lay-bys on the NRA website, but it was removed (or possibly placed somewhere else). I'm kicking myself for not having read it.

    Either way, this ridiculous situation stems from the NRA's inability three years ago to decide whether MSAs were necessary or not. If they happened flapped about changing their minds every five minutes, at least three of the MSAs would be well on their way to opening, with at least three more in the advanced planning stages there-by negating any need for lay-bys.

    The NRA doesn't have a clue what it's doing with lay-bys. When I e-mailed them they told me that they were "reviewing" the current situation with regard to them. "Reviewing" - what the hell? Simple fact: lay-bys aren't allowed on motorways and for good reasons. There is no "reviewing" to be done.

    This subject makes me mad so I better stop... :D


  • #229
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I managed to get my Cashel to Cullahill recording up on Youtube - well, three-quarters of it anyway. I've also added some captions, so you'll know where you're looking at.

    (I hope you like Oasis)

    EDIT - Just to point out: the film was recorded on St Stephen's Day; that's why the road is so quiet.







    As soon as the fourth section is ready, I'll post that too.


  • #230
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    Impressive rock cutting indeed mid-way through the first video!


    Thanks for posting them!


  • #231
    RobAMerc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,863 ✭✭✭RobAMerc


    Anybody else find the cats eyes sitting a bit too proud on the M8 ?

    They'd rattle the teeth out of your head every time you go to change lanes


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  • #232
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Can I just point your attention to 0:34 of the first clip. I always used to wonder what that extra bit of "lined out" carriageway was for, well it turns out it is to do with sightlines. In order to have motorway standard sightlines, the northbound carriageway actually has to bend more gently relative to the southbound carriageway. It's an interesting fact that I only recently picked up on.

    Sometimes they plant a bit of grass in that space... shame they couldn't do it here, grass helps offset the ugliness of the CSB.


  • #233
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    RobAMerc wrote: »
    Anybody else find the cats eyes sitting a bit too proud on the M8 ?

    They'd rattle the teeth out of your head every time you go to change lanes

    I kind of know what you mean, but they're absolutely fantastic at night.


  • #234
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Et voila, the final quarter. This stops about 2km shy of the Cullahill roundabout.



  • #235
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    Can I just point your attention to 0:34 of the first clip. I always used to wonder what that extra bit of "lined out" carriageway was for, well it turns out it is to do with sightlines. In order to have motorway standard sightlines, the northbound carriageway actually has to bend more gently relative to the southbound carriageway. It's an interesting fact that I only recently picked up on.

    Sometimes they plant a bit of grass in that space... shame they couldn't do it here, grass helps offset the ugliness of the CSB.

    I was always wondering that too. They have a hacking great chunk of it on the Ennis bypass.

    Edit: suicidal crow at 0.34 in the first vid :D


  • #236
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    Can I just point your attention to 0:34 of the first clip. I always used to wonder what that extra bit of "lined out" carriageway was for, well it turns out it is to do with sightlines. In order to have motorway standard sightlines, the northbound carriageway actually has to bend more gently relative to the southbound carriageway. It's an interesting fact that I only recently picked up on.

    Sometimes they plant a bit of grass in that space... shame they couldn't do it here, grass helps offset the ugliness of the CSB.

    Thanks, that's really interesting to know. I could never figure out what those extra bits of lined out carriageway were for.

    Was saying in the M6 thread that it looked a bit like they were doing a wide median near what will be the M6/N18 junction. A wide median didn't make sense because they don't seem to be doing one anywhere else that project.

    I can't say for sure but an extra piece of lined out carriageway for sightline purposes would make a lot more sense than a wide median there, especially as the stretch in question is on/going into a bit of a bend/curve.


  • #237
    Geogregor
    Registered Users Posts: 397 ✭✭Geogregor


    Great videos. When were they taken? This motorway looks very quiet. So little traffic. Is it Sunday? Christmas?

    And of course again this funny parking bays.
    By the way how wide are emergency lanes and driving lanes on Irish motorways?


  • #238
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Great videos. When were they taken? This motorway looks very quiet. So little traffic. Is it Sunday? Christmas?

    And of course again this funny parking bays.
    By the way how wide are emergency lanes and driving lanes on Irish motorways?

    Irish Wide Median:

    Driving Lanes - 3.75 m
    Emergency Lane - 3 m

    Irish Narrow Median

    Driving Lanes - 3.5 m
    Emergency Lane - 2.5 m


  • #239
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    Geogregor wrote: »
    Great videos. When were they taken? This motorway looks very quiet. So little traffic. Is it Sunday? Christmas?

    Hi, yes one was taken on Christmas Day; the rest were taken on December 26th - both probably the quietest days of the year.


  • #240
    marmurr1916
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭marmurr1916


    Furet wrote: »
    3123117339_845daf04cf.jpg
    Junction 13 of the M8 under construction, December 2008.

    3123950094_d48ba6ba6d.jpg
    The M8 between Junctions 13 and 14, looking south ~ December 2008.

    3123146053_79a4098527.jpg
    M8 looking north, 4km south of Mitchelstown in County Cork, Dec. 2008.

    3123151093_b81933158e.jpg
    The M8 looking south just south of Junction 12, December 2008.

    Also, a Youtube clip of the M8 southbound between Cashel and Cahir (pardon Avril Lavigne):


    Thanks for those.

    I know that you've said that there's not going to be a sectional opening, but based on what I've seen of the construction progress, I'd hazard a guess that the section from Moorepark (just north of Fermoy) to just south of Mitchelstown could be opened before the remainder.

    Most of that section certainly looks almost ready for traffic.


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  • #241
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    marmurr1916 wrote: »
    I know that you've said that there's not going to be a sectional opening, but based on what I've seen of the construction progress, I'd hazard a guess that the section from Moorepark (just north of Fermoy) to just south of Mitchelstown could be opened before the remainder.

    Most of that section certainly looks almost ready for traffic.

    I asked the top man on the project if there'd be a sectional opening, and he said no. Rapid progress is being made on the northern section, and I'd say that by March it will have caught up with the northern section, allowing a late May opening. 90% of the work at the moment is focusing on the northern section; the only work going on at the southern section is median construction, which requires only a small team to install.

    Still, I personally would like a sectional opening.


  • #242
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    3201027031_f65b33ab03.jpg

    3201878182_47bce23f91.jpg

    3201865692_d75250c7af.jpg

    3201860430_4acb2a31dc.jpg

    3201010613_f0b39e411c.jpg
    I got handed this leaflet at the toll booth today.


  • #243
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Great pictures Furet.

    Could you just clarify where they were taken. I presume Picture 1 is J12 and Picture 2 near Carrigane. But I'm unsure of the other two. Anyway, if they're all on the northbound stretch then progress has simply been mind-blowing. There is no word to describe how ridiculously fast this scheme has progressed. Had Moorepark been set up properly in the first place, we could've been looking at an opening 4 months from now. Which actually brings me onto my next point...

    I'm a little bit concerned about the statement: "duration of these works is approx 6 months". If that is to be the case then my original June-August prediction could start to slip and it may find its way into September. Also, I think that throws the sectional opening theory out the window...

    Another thing: I guess the one advantage of toll booths is that those handy leaflets can be handed out to motorists. Nice to see all those extra 10 cents being put to good use ;) (I presume).


  • #244
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    BluntGuy wrote: »
    Great pictures Furet.

    Could you just clarify where they were taken. I presume Picture 1 is J12 and Picture 2 near Carrigane. But I'm unsure of the other two. Anyway, if they're all on the northbound stretch then progress has simply been mind-blowing. There is no word to describe how ridiculously fast this scheme has progressed. Had Moorepark been set up properly in the first place, we could've been looking at an opening 4 months from now. Which actually brings me onto my next point...

    Yes, all northern: The bit that encompasses the bypass east of Mitchelstown as far as Carrigane. Simply staggering. Here's a treat for you:


    I'm a little bit concerned about the statement: "duration of these works is approx 6 months". If that is to be the case then my original June-August prediction could start to slip and it may find its way into September. Also, I think that throws the sectional opening theory out the window...

    There won't be a sectional opening alright. I think a 6-month work estimate for Moorepark is very conservative, but even if it's right, we're looking at July. Who knows in that case: maybe the northern section will open before the southern!


  • #245
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Or maybe they'll fix it up so that one lane is usable through the interchange with them working on the second lane for an additional month.


  • #246
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    That video is a remarkable piece of footage. Thank you very much for making the effort to record it. :)
    Furet wrote:
    There won't be a sectional opening alright. I think a 6-month work estimate for Moorepark is very conservative, but even if it's right, we're looking at July. Who knows in that case: maybe the northern section will open before the southern!

    I was just thinking the same thing, it would be quite an ironic twist considering how things started off.

    But yes, I imagine 6 months is the longest it could possibly take. I don't think it'll take that long.

    Anyway, at this stage I can't really say how it'll pan out. But it's pretty obvious that the first thing they'll inevitably do is close off the right-hand exit lane. That little luxury will soon be a thing of the past.

    Here's a crude diagram showing the Moorepark Junction to help you understand what's going to be happening soon (you can see from this diagram how awkward the current set-up actually is):


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  • #247
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    I recorded three movies today that cover the N/M8 from Dunkettle to about 500m shy of the Mitchelstown Relief Road. The quality is not exactly HD -- I had to compress the files quite a bit.

    I deemed it useful to add captions. All videos record northbound journeys.


    It will be nice to have a motion picture recording of this section before the motorway redesignation takes effect.


    I similarly wanted to record the Fermoy Bypass before the M-F tie-in works take place.



    Although this video of the single carriageway N8 depicts a quiet road, I'd like to say, firstly, that it was recorded on a Sunday afternoon. Secondly, the process is a teeny bit like the Anthropic Principle: it was only possible to record the video because the road happened to be quiet. Thirdly, as you can see from the numerous entrances, bends and junctions, the road is very dangerous. This fact is sadly reflected in my fourth point: between Fermoy and Mitchelstown there are no fewer than three roadside memorials to people killed. Many more have died down through the years, of course.

    Higher Quality (i.e. sharper images) available at:
    http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Ageyszssyhg
    http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=2oa1L0UuPN8
    http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=50ODagxHqfM

    ...select the 'watch in high quality' option underneath the volume tab.


  • #248
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Furet delivers the goods again :D


  • #249
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Thank you very much for the videos Furet. :)

    Just like to point out a few things for those who don't have the time to view the entire length of each video:

    1st Video

    ALL - Note the faded road markings.

    0:34 - I expect the "motorway ahead" signage to be placed here. :rolleyes:

    4:04 - 120 km/h signs, just before J18 - Furet has them captioned. Also, I'd like to draw your attention to the LILO-esque off-slip for Glanmire. There is an issue for this type of interchange on the Athlone Bypass, the only difference being that the interchanges on that don't have the long off-slips.

    4:48 - Note the "N8" road markings. Will these be re-painted to say "M8"? (Something tells me not - see 8:03)

    7:47 - Note "M8 (Toll)" Start-Of-Motorway Signage... will this be kept when the redesignation comes through (I hope not because it'll just confuse the issue. People will get the idea there are two M8s - an M8 and an "M8 (Toll)" - which is completely ridiculous.

    8:03 - Note "N8" road markings. This shows that this road was previously part of the free-to-use N8 before it became part of the tolled Fermoy Bypass. Note that the wide-median continues until 8:44.

    8:57 - Note stange "grey" speed limit. I really don't know what it means. You see it on some of the off-slips (J15 for example).

    2nd Video

    Not much to say. Fermoy Bypass is a beautiful stretch of road. That's really it.

    A few things though:

    First of all, skip to 7:46 if you want to see how awkward the F-M tie-in is set to be.

    Will the "M8 (N8)" silliness on the ADS signage be changed. There's no need for it and it will simply confuse the issue.

    4:40 - Note the completely unique set-up of exit signage. They have the gore sign with destinations moved a few hundred metres forward, and then at the gore a sign saying "R639". I don't know any other motorways in country that do it like that.

    5:11 - Note "motorway ahead" signage AFTER the toll booths. What good is it there? Also note the song that's playing. Gotta love that track. :D

    5:13 - Note the hatchings to the right. It looks like wasted space, but really it's to do with sightlines.

    5:40 - Note emergency phone in front of RCS. A minor point, but WHY do they have to make such simple little mistakes. *Sigh*

    6:28 - The impressive Blackwater Viaduct. Again Furet has it captioned. The view is amazing, both from the viaduct and the town.

    3rd Video

    Skip to 5:39 to see M8 - Junction 13 under construction.


  • #250
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Thoughts -

    I hate Dunkettle :(
    8m04 in the first video it says N8 on the road, about 200m after the signs for the M8 start.
    0m28 in the second video - ludicrously small direction sign, same at 4m21
    1m15 in the second video - end of motorway on the sliproad is too soon

    But great stuff :D

    Edit:beaten ;)


  • #251
    BluntGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,468 ✭✭✭BluntGuy


    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    I hate Dunkettle :(

    Don't we all. :(
    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    Edit:beaten ;)

    What were you going to say? :D


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