M9 - Waterford motorway construction updates

Bards · 27-11-2009 10:02am

Lining looks complete on the M9 tie-in with the N25 (WCB) at Quarry Roundabout, 120 Km/H signs are in place too

Star Spangler · 27-11-2009 6:15pm

The final surface layer on the tie-in has been held until all landscaping work has been completed. Having had a good look at it this evening it appears that that is now completed. The final surface shouldn't take more than a day to go down (it's only 1 or 2 inches thick) then another day for lines. Another few days to finish the central barrier work where the traffic is currently crossing over and in theory the Kilcullen-Carlow section of the M9 could be completed by the end of next week - 4th December.

road_high · 27-11-2009 10:42pm

Star Spangler wrote: »

The final surface layer on the tie-in has been held until all landscaping work has been completed. Having had a good look at it this evening it appears that that is now completed. The final surface shouldn't take more than a day to go down (it's only 1 or 2 inches thick) then another day for lines. Another few days to finish the central barrier work where the traffic is currently crossing over and in theory the Kilcullen-Carlow section of the M9 could be completed by the end of next week - 4th December.

Thanks Star Spangler, hopefully now they will get it open nice and quickly. No more getting stuck behind snails at 40mph in Almeras and the like on the new M9...and if I do I can just flash them out of the fast lane

slimjimmc · 27-11-2009 11:41pm

mfitzy wrote: »

Thanks Star Spangler, hopefully now they will get it open nice and quickly. No more getting stuck behind snails at 40mph in Almeras and the like on the new M9...and if I do I can just flash out of the fast lane

and while you're busy doing your flashing I'll be in the overtaking lane zooming past you

:D

Can't see them opening for another couple of weeks, I imagine they probably have some checks to do and get the NRA signoff. Is a bye-law or similar required to open the road to the public?

sk8board · 28-11-2009 3:12pm

I think they still have to line the continuation of the motorway at the castledermot side of the carlow by-pass. Didn't look lined as of Wednesday morning anyway.

I'd be absolutely amazed if this was open by the end of the year

as the NRA said above, its sometime in (early) Q1 2010.

Roryhy · 28-11-2009 7:27pm

I doesn't take a month to mark a line. Prepare to be amazed!

kwalshe · 28-11-2009 8:09pm

On the tie in heading north near Castledermot they have started to channel the road into one lane. I think a new sign has gone up but is covered in plastic.
Will post pictures later, I'm off out on the sauce now!

alpha2zulu · 28-11-2009 9:58pm

Heres a quick couple of shots of the Southern tip of Waterford-Knocktopher.

As mentioned yesterday the lining is now complete for about 800m prior to the Quarry/N24 roundabout. Theres still scaffolding on the bridge pillars underneath also.

Theres still work going on with the R.Blackwater viaduct. The tarmac had been laid and the wall complete,but they seem to be putting in expansion joints into each end of the bridge now.

Then about 300m further north there was a very small slip in the bank on the southbound lane at a couple of points. During the week these have dug out with lining and stone been put into the bank at the moment in a few spots.

mickger · 28-11-2009 11:31pm

Just a thanks to all you guys for the updates. I'm heading to Dublin from Waterford in the middle of December and was wondering in your opinion will there be any new sections of the road open by then??

Amtmann · 29-11-2009 12:59am

Those earth cuttings in alpha's last two pictures could be for Garda bays.

alpha2zulu · 29-11-2009 1:18am

Furet wrote: »

Those earth cuttings in alpha's last two pictures could be for Garda bays.

I would be a bit doubtful of that, they do seem to be filling the gaps back in again and there was a very noticeable roughly 1.5 foot slippage in the bank after the heavy rain last thursday week at the same points that are being worked on now.

Also not included in those pics a new drain running the bank has just been installed also so to me it would all be centred around improveing drainage as it is one of the steeper banks on that section in south Kilkenny.

tramor · 29-11-2009 11:07am

So am I. I've been delaying the trip to Dublin just to experience (I hope!!) the new Castledermot-Kilkullen section.

road_high · 29-11-2009 12:32pm

sk8board wrote: »

I think they still have to line the continuation of the motorway at the castledermot side of the carlow by-pass. Didn't look lined as of Wednesday morning anyway.

I'd be absolutely amazed if this was open by the end of the year

as the NRA said above, its sometime in (early) Q1 2010.

Yea, but is there even a couple of days work there? All they seem to have to do (to my eyes) is move the existing temp barrier out of the way then re-line a fairly short section of the new tie in.

fricatus · 29-11-2009 1:38pm

Furet wrote: »

Those earth cuttings in alpha's last two pictures could be for Garda bays.

By the look of it, they're pretty close to the end of the motorway at the Quarry Roundabout, so I wonder would Garda bays ever be put in so close to where the motorway ends?

alpha2zulu · 29-11-2009 1:43pm

Personally I wouldent fancy pulling out into 120km/h traffic on that bend either! I know in a car it may be less pronounced but to the naked eye anyway it does look quite a sharp bend by motorway standards. Not the kind of area you want to be interfering with the traffic flow.

About 2km further north from those bank cutting pics on the same carraigeway is a large lay by area at the end of a long straight. It would ideal for any Garda gatsovan activity as it is.

sk8board · 29-11-2009 3:08pm

mfitzy wrote: »

Yea, but is there even a couple of days work there? All they seem to have to do (to my eyes) is move the existing temp barrier out of the way then re-line a fairly short section of the new tie in.

well, thats what the NRA said, and they the only people who know for sure.

why say the Knocktopher end is going to open Dec/Jan, but not say the Castledermot one?
saying 'Q1 2010' is leaving it pretty open, granted, but its certainly doesn't mean 'sure theres only a few short days work left, and it'll be open in the next 3.5 weeks (which it needs to be in order to be done in '09).

Roryhy · 30-11-2009 6:56pm

Passed the Kilcullen tie-in earlier today, looks like its just wearing course and lines to go. Landscaping seems largely done, barrier will need to be patched. At the Carlow bypass end part of the the bypass is down to one lane northbound for tie-in works, there was a new gantry installed and there were a few workers and vehicles around. Also, at the Priory, the hard shoulder line has finally been finished on nb carriageway.

kwalshe · 30-11-2009 8:28pm

Roryhy wrote: »

Passed the Kilcullen tie-in earlier today, looks like its just wearing course and lines to go. Landscaping seems largely done, barrier will need to be patched. At the Carlow bypass end part of the the bypass is down to one lane northbound for tie-in works, there was a new gantry installed and there were a few workers and vehicles around. Also, at the Priory, the hard shoulder line has finally been finished on nb carriageway.

I noticed the line painted aswell near the priory Rory, I have been saying to myself to be mentally optimistic , the day that gets painted it really can't be too long.
Also was passing the Carlow end this morning and the concrete barriers were being removed and onto the the back of a truck, which means goodbye to them.

Anyway I think that since are into the closing stages and after many pages of great concise and interesting updates on road progress, anybody want to play a game of guess when the opening date will be. I'll go first, just for Kilcullen - Carlow Section.... my guess is Thursday 10th Dec.
Just take a guess when you updating the thread with new info as before.

tramor · 30-11-2009 9:16pm

kwalshe wrote: »

I noticed the line painted aswell near the priory Rory, I have been saying to myself to be mentally optimistic , the day that gets painted it really can't be too long.
Also was passing the Carlow end this morning and the concrete barriers were being removed and onto the the back of a truck, which means goodbye to them.

Anyway I think that since are into the closing stages and after many pages of great concise and interesting updates on road progress, anybody want to play a game of guess when the opening date will be. I'll go first, just for Kilcullen - Carlow Section.... my guess is Thursday 10th Dec.
Just take a guess when you updating the thread with new info as before.

Yes, I'd say it is very soon also. Otherwise why would they be doing that work at the end of the Carlow bypass. Any problems of early completion bonus's must be resolved. I'd say your guess of Thursday 10th is good, given the observed information. I'll go tomorrow week, 8th Dec. (that sounds insanely optimistic, I know!!!)

sk8board · 30-11-2009 11:56pm

actually wasn't on the Carlow drive this morning, but I hear the new motorway earned 50% of its cost this morning with that jack-knifed truck

as for opening days; I'd hope its next week, but will gladly wait till March 31st at midnight if it takes that long!

we've all waited till now ...

fricatus · 01-12-2009 7:55am

sk8board wrote: »

actually wasn't on the Carlow drive this morning, but I hear the new motorway earned 50% of its cost this morning with that jack-knifed truck

Sorry sk8board, can you explain? I don't understand.

Star Spangler · 01-12-2009 9:49am

sk8board wrote: »

actually wasn't on the Carlow drive this morning, but I hear the new motorway earned 50% of its cost this morning with that jack-knifed truck

as for opening days; I'd hope its next week, but will gladly wait till March 31st at midnight if it takes that long!

we've all waited till now ...

Well, finally I have heard directly from the horses mouth. Kilcullen - Carlow will DEFINITELY be open before Christmas. Roadbridge target is the end of week 50 or start of week 51.

ilovegermany · 01-12-2009 11:10am

Star Spangler wrote: »

Well, finally I have heard directly from the horses mouth. Kilcullen - Carlow will DEFINITELY be open before Christmas. Roadbridge target is the end of week 50 or start of week 51.

Thats brilliant ...........

Roryhy · 01-12-2009 11:30am

So thats about 2 weeks! Cant wait:D

Silverado · 01-12-2009 11:42am

Great progress at the Mullinavat junction, the centre barrier is just going in. The final surface and lining is also being completed north of Lukeswell.

However, the Blackwater Bridge down near the start at Waterford is still incomplete and the road is closed to construction traffic. Does anybody know if this is a significant hold up?

Some local workers tell me they are finishing on Dec. 18. Could this mean the southern section will be complete by Christmas?

fricatus · 01-12-2009 2:37pm

I see that the roadside barrier (the metal one) is going up on the section where the M9 crosses the existing N9 at Dunkitt.

johnbk · 01-12-2009 4:11pm

I crossed over Roadbridges section between Knocktopher and Danesford this morning and they were painting the road. After this the only thing remaining is the signs on the sign post. 2 or 3 weeks should finish this section IMO.

Star Spangler · 01-12-2009 5:51pm

The final layer is going down on the Kilcullen tie-in today. Landscaping is finished. Some finishing work to do on lighting and the main exit sign still has to be finished. All of the above could be complete in a day or two.

What I can't figure out is how they are going to complete the central barrier (where it is currently opened to let traffic from northbound to southbound lanes) without disrupting traffic. Also the current temporary ramp will be taken up and used to create banking along the northbound side. This also has the potential to disrupt traffic. The only way I can see them being able to do all this is by opening the motorway but resticting traffic to one lane at the tie-in until the other bits are completed.

rameire · 01-12-2009 7:25pm

Star Spangler wrote: »

The final layer is going down on the Kilcullen tie-in today. Landscaping is finished. Some finishing work to do on lighting and the main exit sign still has to be finished. All of the above could be complete in a day or two.

What I can't figure out is how they are going to complete the central barrier (where it is currently opened to let traffic from northbound to southbound lanes) without disrupting traffic. Also the current temporary ramp will be taken up and used to create banking along the northbound side. This also has the potential to disrupt traffic. The only way I can see them being able to do all this is by opening the motorway but resticting traffic to one lane at the tie-in until the other bits are completed.

i thought you posted the answer to the barrier before.

probably instead of going throught the barrier the contra flow will be changed again to the northbound carriageway, they can then complete the barrier.
then open the motorway and remove the contra flow, then remove the temp ramp and put in barriers on the side of the road.

i should be able to get pics on saturday as should be passing by in the daytime.

alpha2zulu · 01-12-2009 8:00pm

However, the Blackwater Bridge down near the start at Waterford is still incomplete and the road is closed to construction traffic. Does anybody know if this is a significant hold up?

Its a pity because as I remember a post on here saying before it was built 2 years ago at this stage.

They were jacking the bridge up until a few weeks ago then lately they removed the tarmac and barrier over the joints . I guessed some sort of expansion joints were going in but maybe somebody else is more informed in this area if these pics from a post I made Saturday are any help. There is still plenty of scaffolding in palce on the pillars underneath also.

Victor · 01-12-2009 8:03pm

There are proprietary units used for such joints.

Victor · 01-12-2009 8:10pm

Star Spangler wrote: »

The last sign northbound on the new M9.

I pity anyone who runs into this sign at speed.

murphaph · 01-12-2009 9:24pm

Victor wrote: »

I pity anyone who runs into this sign at speed.

Regs require a barrier be placed alongside non-lattix type sign supports on the motorway but yeah, if you manage to get around the barrier and hit that you're in trouble

Munurty · 01-12-2009 9:49pm

johnbk wrote: »

I crossed over Roadbridges section between Knocktopher and Danesford this morning and they were painting the road. After this the only thing remaining is the signs on the sign post. 2 or 3 weeks should finish this section IMO.

The speed limit signs went up today and I saw alot of other signs in the roadbridge yard last week.

The concrete central barrier on the Waterford to Knocktopher scheme only has about 3-4 days left untill completion also.

Carawaystick · 02-12-2009 12:36am

Munurty wrote: »

The speed limit signs went up today and I saw alot of other signs in the roadbridge yard last week.

The concrete central barrier on the Waterford to Knocktopher scheme only has about 3-4 days left untill completion also.

can the concrete still be poured in the cold? I thought it didn't go off below 3 or 4 degrees?

partypiper · 02-12-2009 1:33am

any idea what the drivetime is now with the new road opeinings say from rathcoole on the n7 to waterford

giving it a fair old belt! :>

tramor · 02-12-2009 6:38pm

As far as I know, as long as the concrete does not freeze, the cold is no problem. So if there is frost it is best to cover the freshly poured concrete, otherwise the surface could have problems.

AndrewMc · 02-12-2009 9:27pm

Not sure if this was mentioned already. On the M9 southbound at Junction 2 (Kilcullen) most of the new signs are up. References to Athy are gone, and the exit is now described as R448 Kilcullen, Ballyshannon. The overhead gantry-style sign isn't up yet.

emfifty · 02-12-2009 9:38pm

AndrewMc wrote: »

Not sure if this was mentioned already. On the M9 southbound at Junction 2 (Kilcullen) most of the new signs are up. References to Athy are gone, and the exit is now described as R448 Kilcullen, Ballyshannon. The overhead gantry-style sign isn't up yet.

I hope drivers realise they may have a long drive from exit 2 to Donegal!!!

:P;)

Just had a look at the map on NRA website and 'Ballyshannon' is nowhere to be seen? Perhaps Calverstown would have been a more appropriate destination??

rameire · 02-12-2009 11:21pm

saw the sign tonight on the way home, southbound on the m9 just before the kilcullen junction, just one piece remaining.

the R448 goes from the kilcullen junction, throught kilcullen and onto where ever it goes. and the n78 starts off and goes to athy and further on.

athy doesnt feature as there is a junction further on that is built that has a new road being built to athy.

i expect in the future ( not too distant ) the n78 will be re-classified and downgraded to an 80km/h road and prob changed to R448 all the way to the new roundabout in Athy.
the new road will be classified the N78 and is built to a spec of a 100km/h road so will become the main road for traffic entering Athy from the East.

johnbk · 03-12-2009 9:58am

Just took this picture this morning to show progress. It is on Roadbridges section between Danesford and Knocktopher. 10 days should see this section ready.

fricatus · 03-12-2009 12:23pm

rameire wrote: »

i expect in the future ( not too distant ) the n78 will be re-classified and downgraded to an 80km/h road and prob changed to R448 all the way to the new roundabout in Athy.

It will be interesting to see what they eventually do, but I doubt very much that the N78 will be renamed R448, since that's the designation of the old N9 where the old sections have been replaced with new ones, e.g:

- Naas-Kilcullen
- through Carlow
- the Newrath dual carriageway/Sallypark in Waterford

partypiper · 03-12-2009 12:38pm

Hey all i've been reading through this thread i've been offered a job in Waterford but really need to get a picture of where this road is at the moment as it will affect my decision.

Correct me if i'm wrong:

The Kilcullen to Carlow section should be open before end of year(this should reduce drivetime Carlow to Dublin to under an hour????)

The Carlow to Knocktopher section : Wikipedia has it scheduled as beinig finished Q4 2009. Where is it at the moment, i've seen mention of sections being finished but when is the whole thing likely to be open??

Any comments would be apprciated

Roryhy · 03-12-2009 12:46pm

Partypiper-

Kilcullen-Carlow, about 2 weeks

Carlow-Knocktopher, probably next summer

Knocktopher-Waterford, probably within the next 1-3months

times are tough, take the job:D

partypiper · 03-12-2009 1:03pm

Roryhy wrote: »

Partypiper-

Kilcullen-Carlow, about 2 weeks

Carlow-Knocktopher, probably next summer

Knocktopher-Waterford, probably within the next 1-3months

times are tough, take the job:D

Thanks Roryhy, great info

Could you help me on commute times my partner works in Dublin how would the drive be from Carlow to Clarehall (basically the end of the M50 North) would you do it in an hour in the morning once the Carlow-Kilcullen section opens?? She would be driving home in non-peak hours so i would presume this could be done fairly quickly

How would my commute be:

Carlow to Waterford during peak time

and how would it be once the Knocktopher to Waterford section is finished?

Bards · 03-12-2009 1:26pm

partypiper wrote: »

Thanks Roryhy, great info

Could you help me on commute times my partner works in Dublin how would the drive be from Carlow to Clarehall (basically the end of the M50 North) would you do it in an hour in the morning once the Carlow-Kilcullen section opens?? She would be driving home in non-peak hours so i would presume this could be done fairly quickly

How would my commute be:

Carlow to Waterford during peak time

and how would it be once the Knocktopher to Waterford section is finished?

Carlow to Waterford once the whole Motorway is done will be about 35 to 40 minutes. Takes just over the hour mark at present

duffman13 · 03-12-2009 1:35pm

Partypiper Carlow to Dublin Newlands X will take about 45 mins id say ya would be talkin just a bit over the hour mark to make clarehall if its off peak. Newlands X to clarehall off peak is about twenty mins

kieranb07 · 03-12-2009 1:48pm

partypiper-

I currently commute from sallins to west side of waterford city,
I exit at Junction 10 Naas south,
I do 3 different shifts 8, 10 AND 11:30

8 -> 1.5hrs [I leave at 6am in work for 7:30 (if i leave at 6:15 im not in till 8:30ish)]

10-> 2hrs I leave at 8

11:30 1.5hrs I leave at 10

once the kilkullen - carlow bit is open it will reduce it by 15min
once the knocktopher section is open it will be another 10min (15-25min between 7:30 and 9 with all the trucks and tractors

)

hope this helps,

My first post by the way

Star Spangler · 03-12-2009 1:49pm

duffman13 wrote: »

Partypiper Carlow to Dublin Newlands X will take about 45 mins id say ya would be talkin just a bit over the hour mark to make clarehall if its off peak. Newlands X to clarehall off peak is about twenty mins

Carlow to Citywest will take about 45 minutes. Citywest to Newlands can take a further 20 minutes at peak times. :eek:

Red Cow to Clare Hall will be no probem once the M1/M50 contraflow is finished.

fricatus · 03-12-2009 2:40pm

kieranb07 wrote: »

I currently commute from sallins to west side of waterford city,

10-> 2hrs I leave at 8
once the kilkullen - carlow bit is open it will reduce it by 15min
once the knocktopher section is open it will be another 10min (15-25min between 7:30 and 9 with all the trucks and tractors)

:eek:

You SERIOUSLY must come back here in 6-8 months' time when the whole M9 is open and tell us what sort of difference it's made to your life!

M9 - Waterford motorway construction updates

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