Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

M17/M18 - Gort to Tuam [open to traffic]

1…182183185187188…192

Comments

  • #9202
    Cantona's Collars
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,709 ✭✭✭✭Cantona's Collars


    When All Is Ruin Once Again will be doing the rounds on the film festival circuit.
    It's about the M17/18 and it's impact on communities and people along it's route.


  • #9203
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    The m17 at cloondrone looking towards tuam 23/9/18
    20180923_155343_zps25z2gfp4.jpg
    Cloondrone looking towards rathmorrisy
    20180923_155321_zpsuo3aveoi.jpg


  • #9204
    revsperminute
    Registered Users Posts: 25 ✭revsperminute


    Totally agree that the design of the M6/M17/M18 junction is terrible.

    Was travelling back to Galway city last night approx. 9pm and met a car going the wrong way around the roundabout, a VM Polo, dark coloured but couldn't see the number plate because of his lights, he or she came under the southern bridge of the M18/M17 towards traffic and turned onto the on slip towards Limerick as I was coming around past the off-slip from the M6.. crazy..

    Also, but why isn't the entire motorway designated the M18 all the way to Tuam


  • #9205
    BelfastVanMan
    Registered Users Posts: 667 ✭✭✭BelfastVanMan


    revsperminute wrote: »
    Totally agree that the design of the M6/M17/M18 junction is terrible.

    Was travelling back to Galway city last night approx. 9pm and met a car going the wrong way around the roundabout, a VM Polo, dark coloured but couldn't see the number plate because of his lights, he or she came under the southern bridge of the M18/M17 towards traffic and turned onto the on slip towards Limerick as I was coming around past the off-slip from the M6.. crazy..

    Also, but why isn't the entire motorway designated the M18 all the way to Tuam

    National Route 18 is designated Galway to Limerick, whereas National Route 17 is designated Galway to Sligo, hence the numbering.


  • #9206
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    revsperminute wrote: »
    Also, but why isn't the entire motorway designated the M18 all the way to Tuam

    Someone about 15 years ago had the idea that you could build a motorway to Galway from Tuam via Athenry and everyone who uses the N17 would divert to this new motorway.

    As we can see, that is not how things have worked out in reality.


  • #9207
    kippy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,777 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    marno21 wrote: »
    Someone about 15 years ago had the idea that you could build a motorway to Galway from Tuam via Athenry and everyone who uses the N17 would divert to this new motorway.

    As we can see, that is not how things have worked out in reality.
    I don't think that was the main intention.


  • #9208
    BelfastVanMan
    Registered Users Posts: 667 ✭✭✭BelfastVanMan


    kippy wrote: »
    marno21 wrote: »
    Someone about 15 years ago had the idea that you could build a motorway to Galway from Tuam via Athenry and everyone who uses the N17 would divert to this new motorway.

    As we can see, that is not how things have worked out in reality.
    I don't think that was the main intention.

    No, but it is certainly what happened.


  • #9209
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Who is this "someone"?  The N18 (as it used to be) was a North-South road. This replaced it a couple of KM further west (despite it's ridiculous M17 name). The clue is in the junction numbers continuing.
    Galway is getting a bypass which i'm sure will increase people using the new road as they'll get a freer run towards it.

    Finally, if you think the main function of a Motorway is for car-commuting, you are deluded. If only it was as packed as the M50, i'm sure you are wishing.


  • #9210
    ELCAT2009
    Registered Users Posts: 192 ✭✭ELCAT2009


    Spotted a crane and a new Tower mast at Annagh Hill yesterday eve. I presume that it is the new mobile phone mast. I was surprised this morning to see a little red light already working on top! I wonder how long before the mobile signal becomes live and do we know what phone networks or will they all share the one mast so all phone networks have coverage. Its like a birthday present to the motorway since this day last year was the grand opening!


  • Advertisement
  • #9211
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,537 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Three and Vodafone frequently share towers. It probably isn't on comregs sitefinder yet but it's worth checking. Also planning permission may show who built it


  • #9212
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    ELCAT2009 wrote: »
    Spotted a crane and a new Tower mast at Annagh Hill yesterday eve. I presume that it is the new mobile phone mast. I was surprised this morning to see a little red light already working on top! I wonder how long before the mobile signal becomes live and do we know what phone networks or will they all share the one mast so all phone networks have coverage. Its like a birthday present to the motorway since this day last year was the grand opening!
    Your spot on finally the mast is up a year later then planned it will be another 2 weeks before it goes live to all networks here is the m17 this time last year 7 hours before opening it's been a fast year
    IMAG2377_zpsymnvgj1i.jpg


  • #9213
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Indeed m17, open a year today.


  • #9214
    Benbecul97
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 988 ✭✭✭Benbecul97


    Extraordinary that this thread is still so popular! ;)


  • #9215
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,862 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Benbecul97 wrote: »
    Extraordinary that this thread is still so popular! ;)

    More popular than the M17/M18 going by the pictures posted on here. Most have a great view of an empty motorway.


  • #9216
    BIGT4464
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 191 ✭✭BIGT4464


    marno21 wrote: »
    Kermit.de.frog wrote: »
    How it could have looked :(

    458411.jpg
    It could never have looked like that.

    The roads in your map all have seperate collector roads attached to them. The Rathmorrissey interchange is a simple motorway/motorway junction, no collector roads.

    The M17/M18 are carrying traffic volumes below the capacity of a Type 1 Single Carriageway. Mega interchanges are simply a waste of money in this instance.

    If they had built an at grade roundabout on the M6 for the M17/M18 it wouldn't be under much pressure.
    How it should have looked 
    462415.jpg

    462414.pdf


  • Advertisement
  • #9217
    Kevwoody
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭Kevwoody


    Sam Russell wrote:
    More popular than the M17/M18 going by the pictures posted on here. Most have a great view of an empty motorway.


    Aw seriously what do comments like this add to the thread??
    The motorway is built nothing is going to change that, get over it already.


  • #9218
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Kevwoody wrote: »
    Aw seriously what do comments like this add to the thread??
    The motorway is built nothing is going to change that, get over it already.
    It may be built, but we also need to ensure that the mistake of building a motorway that firstly doesn't solve the issues it was meant to address and secondly is operating between 20-25% of capacity isn't repeated.

    For reference, I have proposed an alternative here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=107855545&postcount=174

    The motorway may be built however the mechanism by which this was approved needs to be examined. For the benefits this motorway is providing vs the total cost of this project (€1.15bn), it really is scandalous.


  • #9219
    road_high
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,472 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    marno21 wrote: »
    It may be built, but we also need to ensure that the mistake of building a motorway that firstly doesn't solve the issues it was meant to address and secondly is operating between 20-25% of capacity isn't repeated.

    For reference, I have proposed an alternative here: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=107855545&postcount=174

    The motorway may be built however the mechanism by which this was approved needs to be examined. For the benefits this motorway is providing vs the total cost of this project (€1.15bn), it really is scandalous.

    Yes it should have been built closer to Galway city- majority of traffic is going in/around there. I'd imagine the amount of Journeys between Tuam/Mayo and Clare/Limerick is relatively small by comparison! And all could have been still accommodated via an alignment closer to Galway.


  • #9220
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    road_high wrote: »
    Yes it should have been built closer to Galway city- majority of traffic is going in/around there. I'd imagine the amount of Journeys between Tuam/Mayo and Clare/Limerick is relatively small by comparison! And all could have been still accommodated via an alignment closer to Galway.
    The Adare bypass is a similar example.

    Back at the end of the FF/Transport 21 period, an Adare bypass was proposed which involved diverging from the M20 at Croom and looping back up to the west of Adare. It was a car crash of a road project and thankfully was refused by ABP.

    Now in 2018 a new Adare bypass is being progressed which involves a freeflowing continuation of the M21 continuing directly to west of Adare. It will totally solve the traffic issues in Adare.


  • #9221
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,862 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    road_high wrote: »
    Yes it should have been built closer to Galway city- majority of traffic is going in/around there. I'd imagine the amount of Journeys between Tuam/Mayo and Clare/Limerick is relatively small by comparison! And all could have been still accommodated via an alignment closer to Galway.

    It should have been built closer to Cork, and been designated the M20. In fact it should have been the M20.


  • Advertisement
  • #9222
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    The new mobile phone mast at Annagh Hill 27/09/18
    20180927_173644_zpsfkz4zwaf.jpg


  • #9223
    serfboard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭serfboard


    m17 wrote: »
    The new mobile phone mast at Annagh Hill 27/09/18
    20180927_173644_zpsfkz4zwaf.jpg
    Oh look - a picture of the M17 with cars on it - well photoshopped m17!


  • #9224
    threeball
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,265 ✭✭✭threeball


    Sam Russell wrote: »
    It should have been built closer to Cork, and been designated the M20. In fact it should have been the M20.

    That limerick to cork road is dead half the time. Only bits that get busy are between Mallow and Cork and the bottleneck in Charleville. Travel it regularly and have never been severely delayed.
    The M17 has alleviated huge bottlenecks in the west and some journey times by up to an hour. You should be infrastructure then build round it not the other way round. This was done at the right time, now they need to encourage some industry along the route.


  • #9225
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    Benbecul97 wrote: »
    Extraordinary that this thread is still so popular! ;)

    I just hope that future road projets will be as popular as this one, another 20,000 views and will hit 1.5 million


  • #9226
    irishgeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,527 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    Sam Russell wrote: »
    More popular than the M17/M18 going by the pictures posted on here. Most have a great view of an empty motorway.

    ireland extends futher than dublin.

    :rolleyes:


  • #9227
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,862 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    irishgeo wrote: »
    ireland extends futher than dublin.

    :rolleyes:

    You would think that, but prioritising a motorway ahead of the M20 would suggest that perhaps not.


  • #9228
    hans aus dtschl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,241 ✭✭✭hans aus dtschl


    threeball wrote: »
    That limerick to cork road is dead half the time. Only bits that get busy are between Mallow and Cork and the bottleneck in Charleville. Travel it regularly and have never been severely delayed.
    The M17 has alleviated huge bottlenecks in the west and some journey times by up to an hour. You should be infrastructure then build round it not the other way round. This was done at the right time, now they need to encourage some industry along the route.

    Dead half the time? Look at the numbers.
    Only bits that get busy are are between Mallow and Cork and the bottleneck in Charleville? Did you just forget Buttevant exists?
    Travel it regularly and never been severely delayed? It's approx 85km from the M21 to Blackpool traffic lights and Google maps says it's "Typically between 65 and 85 mins" Northbound and "Typically between 70-90 mins" Southbound. To put that in perspective, it's less than 60kmh average at times.
    "Now they need to encourage some industry along the route".
    I'm not in any way against investing in infrastructure for the West or Northwest, but infrastructure investment should be based FIRST on current needs/requirements, and later on aspirations/dreams.

    Look, you might be a lovely person and you might be right about an awful lot of things, but your post here is completely wrong on almost every point. Which is kind of impressive tbh.


  • #9229
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    The M20 gang need to build a bridge and get over it. The M17/M18 was not "chosen" over the M20, it was simply further along in the process and so was allowed to proceed at a time when they were slashing capital spending.

    If the case was reversed, it would have been the M17/M18 that was put on hold. Simple, so quit yer moaning


  • #9230
    gifted
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,917 ✭✭✭gifted


    hans aus dtschl wrote: »
    Dead half the time? Look at the numbers.
    Only bits that get busy are are between Mallow and Cork and the bottleneck in Charleville? Did you just forget Buttevant exists?
    Travel it regularly and never been severely delayed? It's approx 85km from the M21 to Blackpool traffic lights and Google maps says it's "Typically between 65 and 85 mins" Northbound and "Typically between 70-90 mins" Southbound. To put that in perspective, it's less than 60kmh average at times.
    "Now they need to encourage some industry along the route".
    I'm not in any way against investing in infrastructure for the West or Northwest, but infrastructure investment should be based FIRST on current needs/requirements, and later on aspirations/dreams.

    Look, you might be a lovely person and you might be right about an awful lot of things, but your post here is completely wrong on almost every point. Which is kind of impressive tbh.

    Completely agree...you also forgot to mention the speed ramps in buttevant......have to slow down to 15kph going over them.....get caught behind a big Arctic truck and you actually stop....madness between two cities in Ireland that there is speed ramps on the main road


  • #9231
    Donegal Storm
    Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    AADT around the midpoint of the N20 is about 10k and just south of Limerick where it splits from the N21 its 14k, its only closer to Cork where it gets significantly busier. The "empty" M17/18 is 10-12k for most of its length, dropping off to 9k closer to Tuam.

    While the N20 is clearly busier overall and the road undoubtedly needed, the numbers don't match this massive injustice narrative


  • Advertisement
  • #9232
    hans aus dtschl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,241 ✭✭✭hans aus dtschl


    Donegal Storm wrote: »
    AADT around the midpoint of the N20 is about 10k and just south of Limerick where it splits from the N21 its 14k, its only closer to Cork where it gets significantly busier. The "empty" M17/18 is 10-12k for most of its length, dropping off to 9k closer to Tuam.

    While the N20 is clearly busier overall and the road undoubtedly needed, the numbers don't match this massive injustice narrative

    You make an interesting point but don't forget:
    1
    Many avoid the N20 by using the M8 at present. Anyone originating East of Cork will go this route as it's faster and Google maps tells them that this is the case. That's presumably around half of the end-to-end traffic
    2
    Comparing the lowest point of one with the lowest point of the other isn't the same thing as comparing the busiest point of one with the busiest point of the other. Upgrades are concerned with the sections of the road which see high usage, not low usage.
    3
    Some sections at the midpoint of the N20 are dangerous and relatively slow moving and are thus no more attractive to local users than the other dangerous and slow route options available to them.

    I think on balance you're probably right to call it an "injustice narrative". An incompetence narrative may be closer to the reality, to be fair. The shelving of the M20 plans in 2011 was an extremely poor decision.


  • #9233
    irishgeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,527 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    Hey Sam. The m17/m18 was supposed to be finished a long while ago and was put on hold too.

    It also comeccts 2 cities. You have experts saying a motorway isn't needed between Cork and limerick.

    Just curious if your angry because your in pain from carrying around the massive chip on your shoulder.


  • #9234
    hans aus dtschl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,241 ✭✭✭hans aus dtschl


    irishgeo wrote: »
    It also comeccts 2 cities. You have experts saying a motorway isn't needed between Cork and limerick.

    I would refer any expert saying a motorway isn't needed between Cork and Limerick to TII, possibly would also question their credentials as an expert.


  • #9235
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    irishgeo wrote: »
    Hey Sam. The m17/m18 was supposed to be finished a long while ago and was put on hold too.

    It also comeccts 2 cities. You have experts saying a motorway isn't needed between Cork and limerick.

    Just curious if your angry because your in pain from carrying around the massive chip on your shoulder.

    I didn't realise Tuam was a city.

    There are no experts saying that a motorway isn't needed between Cork and Limerick. There have been economists suggesting that the money spent on the M20 would be better spent in the cities themselves, but that's an argument for more money for capital spending, not against a motorway per se


  • #9236
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,862 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    irishgeo wrote: »
    Hey Sam. The m17/m18 was supposed to be finished a long while ago and was put on hold too.

    It also comeccts 2 cities. You have experts saying a motorway isn't needed between Cork and limerick.

    Just curious if your angry because your in pain from carrying around the massive chip on your shoulder.

    I am not a bit angry - not at all.

    I am just commenting on the empty motorways I see when I go west of Athlone. When I go south of Limerick, like Adare, I get stuck in stationary traffic, just after coming off the motorway from Limerick - all 9 km of it.

    And that was under Michael Noonan's watch while he was Minister for Finance.


  • #9237
    red bull
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭red bull


    marno21 wrote: »
    I didn't realise Tuam was a city.

    There are no experts saying that a motorway isn't needed between Cork and Limerick. There have been economists suggesting that the money spent on the M20 would be better spent in the cities themselves, but that's an argument for more money for capital spending, not against a motorway per se

    Yes, Tuam is a city. Designated so by the fact that it has two Cathedrals


  • #9238
    JCX BXC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,227 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    red bull wrote: »
    Yes, Tuam is a city. Designated so by the fact that it has two Cathedrals

    I think when we're talking about infrastructure, we'll use the administrative status of Tuam as a town and not some la-de-da historical BS.


  • #9239
    red bull
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭red bull


    JCX BXC wrote: »
    I think when we're talking about infrastructure, we'll use the administrative status of Tuam as a town and not some la-de-da historical BS.

    Ok, but the motorway does join two cities Galway and Limerick


  • #9240
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    red bull wrote: »
    Ok, but the motorway does join two cities Galway and Limerick

    Indirectly so. This scheme directly connects Gort Athenry and Tuam. A Galway connection doesn't seem to be primary objective of the scheme judging by its routing


  • Advertisement
  • #9241
    Carol25
    Registered Users Posts: 731 ✭✭✭Carol25


    Have been following this thread with interest over the years. A family member was involved in the blasting on this motorway, and it's a motorway that was in the pipeline long before a shovel went into the ground. It runs two fields away from my house, but not much noise from it as we've a small wood in between. I for one am delighted it is built. It finally gives a motorway connection between Galway and Limerick and north to Tuam. Anyone who travelled the old M18 route will know how slow and cumbersome that journey was to get to Gort. I also use it frequently to go North. As far as I know, objectors closer to the city caused it to route further East. However during the week I happened to have to travel into the city from the Abbeyknockmoy area. The advice was to 'take the motorway to Rathmorrissey and go in at Briarhill rather than go through Claregalway and Tuam Rd junction...their advice proved correct! So it does serve a purpose and is a very useful intercity connector. People moaning about it will just have to get over it, and concentrate on future designs. Speaking of, Rathmorrissey was designed by inexperienced motorway interchange designers in my opinion. It does work, and people with tales of cars going the wrong way need to ask the question as to who on earth are behind the wheel in those instances, the signs are all there. It's pretty simple but a spaghetti type junction would be quicker and more effective.


  • #9242
    mikeingalway
    Registered Users Posts: 49 ✭mikeingalway


    Finally, I see the mast is nearing completion at Annagh Hill! Here hoping it will knock out the black spots each side of it ... I’d say they will still need another one near Cartymore.


  • #9243
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    mikeingalway wrote: »
    Finally, I see the mast is nearing completion at Annagh Hill! Here hoping it will knock out the black spots each side of it ... I’d say they will still need another one near Cartymore.

    There is no plan for one at cartymore the mast at Annagh Hill will also cover this area as Annagh hill is 8kms away form carthymore


  • #9244
    mikeingalway
    Registered Users Posts: 49 ✭mikeingalway


    Really, can't see a mast covering that distance and the hidden dips all the way toward and including Cartymore. What is the range of these masts?


  • #9245
    Kermit.de.frog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,898 ✭✭✭✭Kermit.de.frog


    BIGT4464 wrote: »

    462414.pdf

    Exactly but look at what we got.


  • #9246
    obi604
    Registered Users Posts: 5,672 ✭✭✭obi604


    BIGT4464 wrote: »
    How it should have looked 
    462415.jpg

    462414.pdf

    I know nothing about road design.
    How does this work?

    I can’t see how all the roads join up......or are there different layers that I’m not seeing.


  • Advertisement
  • #9247
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,459 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    obi604 wrote: »
    I know nothing about road design.
    How does this work?

    I can’t see how all the roads join up......or are there different layers that I’m not seeing.
    Wiki can explain better than I ever could: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloverleaf_interchange


  • #9248
    Kermit.de.frog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,898 ✭✭✭✭Kermit.de.frog


    That would have been cheaper as well.

    For taxpayers your money has been wasted on a more expensive and yet inferior junction.

    Should be an inquiry in to that in my opinion.


  • #9249
    m17
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭m17


    The M18 at roveagh the accommodation flyover 29/09/16
    IMAG2357_zpszpn455rv.jpg
    29/09/18
    IMAG105_zpsk9iekfai.jpg


  • #9250
    flazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,249 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Kermit.de.frog wrote: »
    That would have been cheaper as well.

    For taxpayers your money has been wasted on a more expensive and yet inferior junction.

    Should be an inquiry in to that in my opinion.
    Yielding and stopping isn't the end of the world, just a minor inconvenience.
    You need to build a bridge, put a roundabout on it and get over it.


  • #9251
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    flazio wrote: »
    Yielding and stopping isn't the end of the world, just a minor inconvenience.
    You need to build a bridge, put a roundabout on it and get over it.
    or just slap on a bit of paint! ;)


  • Advertisement
Advertisement