M6 - Ballinasloe to Galway

Nath · 04-12-2009 2:54pm

Galway News have it up on their website...

http://www.galwaynews.ie/10020-m6-motorway-open-city-two-weeks

M6 MOTORWAY TO OPEN IN CITY IN TWO WEEKS

December 4, 2009 - 12:25pm
The M6 motorway will officially open at the Galway clinic in two weeks time.(18/12)

The route will bring motorists from the Galway Clinic in Doughiska to Heuston station in Dublin, in around two hours.

In July a 19km section between Athlone and Ballinasloe was opened.

It's understood that by 2010 the motorway will have replaced almost all of the single carriageway N6.

Carawaystick · 05-12-2009 1:56am

ManFromAtlantis wrote: »

theyre exposing the 'covered' text on the motorway signs this morn.

the old n6 from galway to bsloe will obviously be fairly traffic free. going from galway to dub why not take old n6 and nip back on m6 at ballinasloe particularly as u will be coming on m6 at the right side of ballinasloe ie u dont need to go thru town and the old and new are very close at this point? also loughrae bypassed so no hold ups?

am i mad or is teh above what might happen.?

It's way longer(2 sides of a triangle) and there will be an 80 kmh speed limit on most of it bar a bit of the Loughrea bypass and from Loughrea to the portumna junction.
you might get held up at the WRC where it crosses the N6 in Crauhwell - but you might not either cough cough.

Maybe getting the M6 to Loughrea link and then to B sloe mightn't be as slow.

L1011 · 05-12-2009 3:41am

Carawaystick wrote: »

Ithere will be an 80 kmh speed limit on most of it bar a bit of the Loughrea bypass and from Loughrea to the portumna junction.

Only if Galway County Council have no balls. Louth, Tipp North, Cork and Monaghan have all put orders through to restore 100km/h on bypassed ex-national roads so far...

Carawaystick wrote: »

you might get held up at the WRC where it crosses the N6 in Crauhwell - but you might not either cough cough.

Already (rarely) happens, I've been caught there for a ballast train before. Not fun at all.

Carawaystick wrote: »

Maybe getting the M6 to Loughrea link and then to B sloe mightn't be as slow.

The link road is so long it really makes toll-hopping pointless. I would suspect it was designed this way...

Carawaystick · 05-12-2009 11:15am

But the day the M6 officially opens the Rwhateverit'll be called will have an 80 limit by default. As it's Christmas, then there'll be no council meetings to approve and increase in the immediate term.

I'd imagine from Aughrim to Balinasloe, the existing 80 section near Cappataggle, and from the Meadowcourt to Craugwell won't get the increased limit. pretty much anything that hasn't an asphalt surface at the minute.

In fact I'd say a lot of the route wold stay 80 so the council can grant planning permission.

KevR · 05-12-2009 12:57pm

Not sure if this has been covered before but what will the existing N6 DC from Oranmore to Doughiska become? Will it be the R446 or will it become some new N road number? Derrydonnell to Doughiska on the 'old' N6 should definitely have a 100kmh speed limit.

Sponge Bob · 05-12-2009 1:00pm

should be 100 from there to the N Road Portumna road turnoff east of Loughrea, perfectly good road for 100 .

antoobrien · 05-12-2009 1:55pm

KevR wrote: »

Not sure if this has been covered before but what will the existing N6 DC from Oranmore to Doughiska become? Will it be the R446 or will it become some new N road number? Derrydonnell to Doughiska on the 'old' N6 should definitely have a 100kmh speed limit.

Haven't seen or heard anything about this but presumably seeing as it is part of the current N6 it will be part of the R446, unless they decide to make it part of the N18 to Limerick.

L1011 · 05-12-2009 2:15pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

But the day the M6 officially opens the Rwhateverit'll be called will have an 80 limit by default. As it's Christmas, then there'll be no council meetings to approve and increase in the immediate term.

The signs are unlikely to be replaced before the new year, meaning it won't have a prosecutable 80 limit...

KevR wrote: »

Not sure if this has been covered before but what will the existing N6 DC from Oranmore to Doughiska become? Will it be the R446 or will it become some new N road number? Derrydonnell to Doughiska on the 'old' N6 should definitely have a 100kmh speed limit.

The first section from Oranmore to Carrowmoneash will have to become N18, but the rest is going to be R446 I'd guess.

Nath · 08-12-2009 2:47pm

Section 6.2.3 of the Draft Galway County Development Plan 2009-2015 (Roads and Transportation Objectives) states:

Objective RT6:

Retain the existing National Routes N6, N18 and N17 as Class II Controlled roads upon commissioning and opening of the new National Routes through the county.

This seems to state that these roads will be maintained as national secondary routes (keeping their N number) rather than being designated as regional roads (with an R), and hence keep their 100km/h speed limit.

KevR · 08-12-2009 6:04pm

Does that mean we'll have an M6 and N6 + M18 and N18 in Galway or will they give the N roads different numbers?

Nath · 08-12-2009 6:19pm

KevR wrote: »

Does that mean we'll have an M6 and N6 + M18 and N18 in Galway or will they give the N roads different numbers?

Good question, I'm not sure how they will rename the routes.

What is particularly confusing is the potential issue of the 100km/h dual carraigeway from J19 to Doughiska being named as the N6, then I guess they will have to rename Oranmore to Ballinasloe as an R road.

Sponge Bob · 08-12-2009 6:20pm

It could be N65 to Loughrea then Portumna and N66 from the Motorway to Loughrea to Gort...unless they do the sensible thing and retire some of these N roads.

Irish and Proud · 08-12-2009 9:06pm

KevR wrote: »

Does that mean we'll have an M6 and N6 + M18 and N18 in Galway or will they give the N roads different numbers?

...or maybe extensions of the N65 and N66 - maybe the Loughrea Link would be called the N88 (highest number is currently N87) or something!

Regards!

murphaph · 08-12-2009 11:09pm

What the hell is a "Class II controlled road" when it's at home? I googled it and the only 4 results in the world are all on Galway CC's website!

Carawaystick · 09-12-2009 3:14am

Irish and Proud wrote: »

...or maybe extensions of the N65 and N66 - maybe the Loughrea Link would be called the N88 (highest number is currently N87) or something!

Regards!

An email from the NRA a while back told me the N65 will go from the current N6 junction to the Loughrea bypass an onto the M6. The N66 will run from the same Bullaun rab along the Loughrea bypass, back into the town and out the existing Gort road. Dunkellen St in Loughrea already has to Yield to the N66 route on the Athenry road/west bridge/Gort road.

mackerski · 10-12-2009 11:44am

Irish and Proud wrote: »

...or maybe extensions of the N65 and N66 - maybe the Loughrea Link would be called the N88 (highest number is currently N87) or something!

The Loughrea Link is already numbered N65, which makes sense if you consider that where that road currently terminates is being de-trunked.

DanielI · 11-12-2009 7:01pm

1.90 for cars.

http://nra.ie/PublicPrivatePartnership/TollingDocumentation/file,16948,en.pdf

roosterman71 · 11-12-2009 10:15pm

DanielI wrote: »

1.90 for cars.

http://nra.ie/PublicPrivatePartnership/TollingDocumentation/file,16948,en.pdf

Heard that today too. They say a trip from Dublin to Galway will take 2 hours. It will have 2 tolls - €1.90 in Ballinasloe and €2.90 in Kinnegad.

Also, in todays Athlone Advertiser it says the road is opening next Friday, Dec. 18th. It will be the first inter-urban motorway to fully open.

flazio · 12-12-2009 11:36am

Article:

Ballinasloe to Galway M6 to open on Friday
ATHLONE ADVERTISER, DECEMBER 11, 2009.
By Triona Doherty
The final 56 kilometres of the M6 motorway, linking Ballinasloe and Galway, is to open next Friday, six months ahead of schedule.

The stretch of road is expected to be open to motorists by the afternoon of next Friday December 18, following the official opening ceremony by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey that morning.

Once the route is open, motorists will be able to travel from Athlone to Galway in approximately one hour, while it is estimated that journey times between Dublin and Galway will be slashed to two hours.

Originally planned to come on stream in mid-2010, the completion of the country’s newest stretch of motorway has come in approximately six months ahead of schedule.

However members of the public were treated to a sneak preview of the route in recent weeks, when one carriageway was opened to facilitate motorists during the flooding.

“The contractor, Icon, has done a great job. It is a tribute to the contractor and the NRA that the road is to open ahead of schedule, and that it was able to open to motorists in recent weeks,” said a spokesperson for the NRA.

The M6 Galway to Ballinasloe scheme consists of 56 kilometres of dual carriageway between Galway and Ballinasloe, a 7km link to the Loughrea bypass, 32km of side roads, and five grade separated junctions at Glennascaul, Athenry, Carrowkeel, West Ballinasloe, and Tulrush.

Two toll charges will now apply to motorists travelling to and from Dublin, with a charge of €1.90 at a toll plaza at Cappataggle near Ballinasloe, on top of the existing charge of €2.90 at Kinnegad.

http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/20091

Looks like Brian Cowen learned his lesson from the Athlone to Ballinasloe opening fiasco.

Next flood crisis expect Willie O Dea to do the tour to see how his troops are doing.
Anyway how many kms does the sign at the Galway Clinic side say Dublin is from Galway?

Amtmann · 12-12-2009 11:43am

So, will this make the M6 the longest motorway in the state for now, or is the M8 still in the premier position?

Chris_533976 · 12-12-2009 11:56am

Unfortunately due to the Athlone bypass its not continuous, but if you ignore that little blip

Sponge Bob · 12-12-2009 12:51pm

The two M6 sections will be around 90 miles long between them , at a guess. I would say the M8 has it bate.

Carawaystick · 12-12-2009 3:53pm

roosterman71 wrote: »

Heard that today too. They say a trip from Dublin to Galway will take 2 hours. It will have 2 tolls - €1.90 in Ballinasloe and €2.90 in Kinnegad.

Also, in todays Athlone Advertiser it says the road is opening next Friday, Dec. 18th. It will be the first inter-urban motorway to fully open.

Will the M4 toll have to go back down as the hapenny vat will be gone?
Didn't they put up the price last Dec1 when the vat went up?

NedNew · 12-12-2009 4:04pm

Lucan to the start of the Athlone bypass is about 90 km.

The stretch from Athlone to Galway is about 80 km, give or take.

I think the M8 stretch is over well 100 km?

Amtmann · 12-12-2009 4:29pm

NedNew wrote: »

Lucan to the start of the Athlone bypass is about 90 km.

The stretch from Athlone to Galway is about 80 km, give or take.

I think the M8 stretch is over well 100 km?

Lucan is M4 territory. We must measure the M6 from Kinnegad to Athlone east, and from Athlone west to the western extremity of the M6 G-B scheme.

The M8 is currently 129km long.

Geogregor · 12-12-2009 5:43pm

Furet wrote: »

Lucan is M4 territory. We must measure the M6 from Kinnegad to Athlone east, and from Athlone west to the western extremity of the M6 G-B scheme.

The M8 is currently 129km long.

Dublin - Galway apx 200km, all the way dual carriageway, no intersections, level crossings and all that crap. That's the most important point. Stop moaning about the details guys

df1985 · 13-12-2009 5:38pm

just looking for some advice regarding this road, im heading to westport for new years eve and am not familair with the N5.considering i could make it to galway now within 2 hours would it be worthwile taking the m6 all the way and heading to westport from there, or sticking with the N5 route?? is the headford road a good road?

L1011 · 13-12-2009 5:50pm

df1985 wrote: »

just looking for some advice regarding this road, im heading to westport for new years eve and am not familair with the N5.considering i could make it to galway now within 2 hours would it be worthwile taking the m6 all the way and heading to westport from there, or sticking with the N5 route?? is the headford road a good road?

The N84 isn't great. You're really doing two sides of a triangle by going M6/N84, it'd be about an hour and a half from Galway to Westport.

I'd stick to the N5.

veryangryman · 13-12-2009 7:28pm

MYOB wrote: »

The N84 isn't great. You're really doing two sides of a triangle by going M6/N84, it'd be about an hour and a half from Galway to Westport.

I'd stick to the N5.

Or....

M6 to Athlone, N61 to Tulsk, N5 to Mayo

Still pretty dodgy roads once you leave Roscommon though

Tech3 · 13-12-2009 7:56pm

df1985 wrote: »

is the headford road a good road?

Never take this road, it's really that bad, if you were going that route the N17/N60/N5 is better after the M6. Most regional roads are better than the N84.

I've only driven from Charlestown to Westport on the N5 so cant really comment on that route but it's probably adequate enough.

KevR · 13-12-2009 9:47pm

tech2 wrote: »

Never take this road, it's really that bad, if you were going that route the N17/N60/N5 is better after the M6. Most regional roads are better than the N84.

I've only driven from Charlestown to Westport on the N5 so cant really comment on that route but it's probably adequate enough.

Would agree with this. Drove to Castlebar once at night in bad weather on the N84 and it was my worst driving experience ever - the road is appalling. I came home on the N60 and N17 which was much better, but still not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination.

I made the point before that when the M6 is fully complete, more people will drive directly West and then North or South instead of branching off onto crappy roads further East. It's only a good thing and will probably save lives. When the M17/18 links up with the M6 it will mean people will be able to avoid using many other bad routes, not just the old N6/17/18.

Got a few photos of the M6 from around Athenry today which I'm just uploading at the moment.

KevR · 13-12-2009 10:04pm

This was my last chance to go out for a look at the M6 before it opens on Friday. I'm doing exams during the week so won't get another chance. I might be driving to Dublin on Friday; I can't see it being open in the morning on the way to Dublin but it should be on the way home in the evening

.

All pictures are from the R348 overbridge South-East of Athenry. Quality isn't the best because there was some fog at the time.

Click thumnails for full size images.

Looking West:

Signage looking West:

Looking East:

Work on a fence which will help reduce the amount of noise that reaches the nearby houses:

Sponge Bob · 13-12-2009 10:17pm

Christ on a bike, how much land was taken for the M6 ?? :eek: . I thought the surplus land take for a third lane was from the airport to Rathmorrissey only

KevR · 13-12-2009 10:19pm

I drive Galway to Athenry on a fairly regular basis and I can't wait to see the back of the R348 between Derrydonnell and Athenry. Its condition has deteriorated so much in the last while.

It has always been narrow.
It has always had bad bends.
It has always had lunatic drivers overtaking in dangerous locations.
Lately the surface has gotten really bad.
Lately the road markings have faded and, as there are no cat's eyes, it is difficult to see where you are going at night (and I'm very familiar with the road. Imagine what it's like for someone driving on it for the first time!!).
When you get to the N6 T-junction at Derrydonnell when coming from Athenry, the stop sign is twisted sideways and the white stop line has completely faded.
There is a stop-and-go in place at the M6 underbridge. The lights take 10 mins to change. I'd be half way home in that 10 mins!

It's a miracle that more people haven't been killed or seriously injured on the R348. Once the M6 opens, the vast majority will be able to avoid the R348.

Re: the stop-and-go at the M6 underbridge - it looks like they are digging down the R348 under the M6 to lower the road. I don't think it was high enough for certain HGVs. Must have been something to do with the incline of the M6 (when it's rising to go over the R348) that stopped them building a slightly higher bridge in the first place.

KevR · 13-12-2009 10:24pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Christ on a bike, how much land was taken for the M6 ?? :eek: . I thought the surplus land take for a third lane was from the airport to Rathmorrissey only

It could just be near that overbridge. It's wider than most overbridges and is curving.

Irish and Proud · 13-12-2009 10:27pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Christ on a bike, how much land was taken for the M6 ?? :eek: . I thought the surplus land take for a third lane was from the airport to Rathmorrissey only

...yeah, the land take looks pretty substantial! :eek:

Now, I know there is something like a 5m working platform either side of a motorway and associated earthworks such a cuttings etc, but the provisions here seem a lot more generous! Wonder is it 3rd lane provision?

Regards!

Irish and Proud · 13-12-2009 10:39pm

KevR wrote: »

It could just be near that overbridge. It's wider than most overbridges and is curving.

Well, that supersedes my last post! The bridge however, it's enormous - more of these skewed multi-span bridges seem to be cropping up again - they're getting more like the M1 - a motorway with its many over-elaborate bridges designed before Seamus Brennan slimmed down the excesses as Transport Minister.

Maybe the money would be much better spent on 3.0m hard shoulders, rather than the current 2.5m standard H/S (IMO, a mistake under Seamus Brennan) on roads spanned by excessive bridges!

Regards!

Sponge Bob · 13-12-2009 10:53pm

Aw I dunno, that road will do fine for the next 50 years

More attenuating ponds could be retrofitted in that land take instead. It is in the Dunkellin catchment after all.

KevR · 14-12-2009 2:57pm

Just posted this over in the Galway City forum also. Meant to post it here last night but forgot.

KevR wrote:

Anyone know what they're doing up at the Galway Clinic roundabout? It looks like they're building a left turning free-flow slip lane to bypass the roundabout when going from the Dublin Road Outbound onto the N6 Dual Carriageway towards the M6 roundabout.

Can anyone confirm? I've not heard anything about it. If it is a free-flow slip then it's a good move and will help traffic in the area (especially at evening rush hour).

ohnoigotsick · 14-12-2009 4:04pm

KevR wrote: »

Just posted this over in the Galway City forum also. Meant to post it here last night but forgot.

i'd say it is an extra lane to go left - i think it might be a bit tight to get in lane after a free flow slip lane for the motorway

on an off topic thread , anyone know whats going on with the M4 around enfield and the road works there

14-12-2009 4:17pm

ohnoigotsick wrote: »

on an off topic thread , anyone know whats going on with the M4 around enfield and the road works there

It's for construction of the motorway service stations.

?Cee?view · 14-12-2009 6:13pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's for construction of the motorway service stations.

I thought they weren't going ahead?

Chris_533976 · 14-12-2009 6:51pm

M1 and M4 ones are, rest are cancelled.

rubensni · 14-12-2009 9:15pm

Does anyone know what time the road will be open from on Friday?

roosterman71 · 14-12-2009 11:11pm

rubensni wrote: »

Does anyone know what time the road will be open from on Friday?

Most likely late morning/lunch time

Delta Kilo · 15-12-2009 2:39am

Irish and Proud wrote: »

Wonder is it 3rd lane provision?

But the third lane wouldn't fit under the bridge?

spacetweek · 15-12-2009 5:50pm

Chris_533976 wrote: »

M1 and M4 ones are, rest are cancelled.

You always exaggerate Chris! They aren't cancelled, just delayed.

emfifty · 15-12-2009 8:28pm

roosterman71 wrote: »

Most likely late morning/lunch time

11am by min. for transport. (aa website)

15-12-2009 8:43pm

emfifty wrote: »

11am by min. for transport. (aa website)

If it's anything like the Athlone Ballinasloe opening, it won't be open to general traffic 'till about 4PM.

KevR · 16-12-2009 12:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

If it's anything like the Athlone Ballinasloe opening, it won't be open to general traffic 'till about 4PM.

Wasn't it the central median which they had broken through for the diversion that caused the delay in opening? They had to re-instate the median before it could open.

Both ends of the Galway-Ballinasloe scheme will just involve removing cones, there's no messy little tie-in work to do on the opening day. Fingers crossed it will open earlier than 4pm..

M6 - Ballinasloe to Galway

Comments