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Motorway between Athlone and Moate

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  • 05-10-2014 9:29pm
    #1
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Anyone know what's being done at either side of the Motorway between exit 8 Athlone and exit 7 Moate, near the layby?


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    #2
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Could be this? From the NRA website:
    • Scheme Motorway Service Areas (Tranche 2)
    • Status Tender
    • Start County Westmeath
    • End County Westmeath
    • Local Authority N/A
    Tranche 2 Service Areas is a PPP project comprising the design, construction, operation, maintenance and financing of two service areas, located on the M6 motorway east of Athlone and on the M9 motorway south of Kilcullen. The scheme comprises the provis


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    #3
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    I would imagine so. There's a few portable site offices and heavy moving equipment such as large dumpers.

    EDIT: Do you have a link to it?


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    #4
    johnp001
    Registered Users Posts: 658 ✭✭✭johnp001


    www .nra.ie/mapping/motorway-service-areas-(t/


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    #5
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    johnp001 wrote: »
    www .nra.ie/mapping/motorway-service-areas-(t/

    A grade separated junction on the existing motorways, which will provide access to the single sided service area facilities, will be procured in a separate advance works contract.

    So the services on one side only, and a bridge?


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    #6
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    So the services on one side only, and a bridge?

    Or will the services be on one side only with no bridge ? ? - I certainly hope not, but after all This Is Ireland......:o


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    #7
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    Whether there will be services on both sides or services on one side with access from the other side, it's going to hit the N6 centre hard. Aparently similar services are being developed along the N7.


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    #8
    flazio
    Registered Users Posts: 12,810 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Seems a strange place to do that what with Kilmartins and Applegreen so close by.


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    #9
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    flazio wrote: »
    Seems a strange place to do that what with Kilmartins and Applegreen so close by.

    I thought the exact same thing, but maybe they want to cater to larger vehicles, whom may not find it easy to get parking, especially if they are not used to driving in the area.


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    #10
    Steven81
    Registered Users Posts: 1,245 ✭✭✭Steven81


    Kilmartins has McDonalds, Subway, Creggan Court, shop with deli so a large choice. The amount of buses picking up/ dropping off is large. The place is a goldmine.


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    #11
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    The problem for the N6 centre is that you have to know it's there - It's a fair distance up from the motorway proper. The new service area will have sliproads directly off and then back onto the motorway so it will be easier to access and egress. There's also a limited amount of parking available at the N6 centre and no real sit down dining areas apart from McDonalds which is not everyon'e first choice for a dining experience. Some proper Athlone style 'atin houses are required - Serving crubeens and other such local delicacies.:p


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    #12
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    For those who do know the N6 Centre is there and commute between Dublin and Galway regularly, may take there business to the new service opening. It may sting the N6 Centre somewhat, but may also force them to drop the price of their fuel.


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    #13
    charlieIRL
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,190 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    Motorway down to one lane in both directions around the construction site this evening. Permanent barriers too so looks like they will be there for a while.

    Any more word is it definitely a service station?


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    #14
    galait
    Closed Accounts Posts: 669 ✭✭✭galait


    Itzy wrote: »
    For those who do know the N6 Centre is there and commute between Dublin and Galway regularly, may take there business to the new service opening. It may sting the N6 Centre somewhat, but may also force them to drop the price of their fuel.

    The owners of the N6 Centre /Kilmartins were at one point part of the consortium bidding to build the services.


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    #15
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    galait wrote: »
    The owners of the N6 Centre /Kilmartins were at one point part of the consortium bidding to build the services.

    Must look into it and see if they still have a hand in it, as they would stand to make a killing once the books balance out again.


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    #16
    charlieIRL
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,190 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    Just found this from May 2012........
    Over a year on from when tenders were first sought for a new motorway rest area near Athlone, the National Roads Authority (NRA) can still give no indication of when motorists can expect to be able to buy a coffee or take a toilet break on the M6 from Kinnegad to Galway.

    Initially, it had been thought the service area earmarked for the Fassagh townland, around nine kilometres east of Athlone, would be in operation by 2013, however, that seems highly unlikely as no contracts have been awarded for the project as of yet.

    Question marks also remain over about the funding commitment for the service area project, being developed as part of a public private partnership.

    "Negotiations with tenderers for a public private partnership scheme to operate service areas on the N6 near Athlone, the N9 near Kilcullen and the M11 near Gorey are at an advanced stage." Minister of State at the Department of Transport Alan Kelly told the Seanad on May 3 last.

    However, a spokesperson for the National Roads Authority could give no updated timeframe on the service station plans, save to say the negotiations were advanced but ongoing.

    A new overpass is needed for the Athlone service area, which will be located on only one side of the road as the NRA previously said the traffic volumes didn't justify a rest area on both sides of the stretch.

    Back in late 2009, planning approval and a compulsory purchase order was granted for the development of the service station at a 10.6 hectare site in the townlands of Fassagh, Glen and Killogeenaghan, but it was later shelved due to funding cuts.

    In 2011 it was decided to progress the much needed piece of motorway infrastructure as a public private partnership project.

    The facilities for the service station will include 24-hour services, public toilets and showers, food provision from 6am to 10pm, parking facilities for cars and heavy goods vehicles, and indoor and outdoor children's play areas.

    There are just three service areas at present along Ireland's motorway network.

    A service area opened on the M4 close to Enfield but there is currently no such service area on the M6 from Kinnegad west.


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    #17
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Only services on one side of the motorway ? - That is very poor and extremely shortsighted.


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    #18
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Long Gone wrote: »
    Only services on one side of the motorway ? - That is very poor and extremely shortsighted.

    With an overpass from the other side. I'd assume the current works are for the bridge, which will take longer to build.


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    #19
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    Long Gone wrote: »
    Only services on one side of the motorway ? - That is very poor and extremely shortsighted.

    I think the following justifies only one Service Station...
    ...A new overpass is needed for the Athlone service area, which will be located on only one side of the road as the NRA previously said the traffic volumes didn't justify a rest area on both sides of the stretch...


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    #20
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Itzy wrote: »
    I think the following justifies only one Service Station...

    Like I said, an extremely poor and very short sighted decision.

    The NRA may claim (for their own convenience) that current traffic volumes don't justify service areas on both sides of the motorway, but those volumes will only increase in the medium to long term. Services could have been built on the other side for not a lot more than they're spending on building the overpass between the two sides..... There was a choice to be made between building a proper European standard services area or a poor, 3rd rate imitation of such - They went for the compromise mediocrity that is currently being built.


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    #21
    nice_guy80
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,723 ✭✭✭nice_guy80


    Is this where the Chinese were meant to built their new Emerald City?


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    #22
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Long Gone wrote: »
    Services could have been built on the other side for not a lot more than they're spending on building the overpass between the two sides.....

    Yes, but then you'd need someone two run two loss-making service areas instead of one profit making one.


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    #23
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    Yes, but then you'd need someone two run two loss-making service areas instead of one profit making one.

    Why should they be loss making ? On what basis do you believe they would make a loss ? - There is more than enough traffic on both sides for the services to be very profitable even on just fuel sales alone....


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    #24
    Zubeneschamali
    Registered Users Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Long Gone wrote: »
    Why should they be loss making ? On what basis do you believe they would make a loss ? - There is more than enough traffic on both sides for the services to be very profitable even on just fuel sales alone....

    Says you. The NRA says different:

    the NRA previously said the traffic volumes didn't justify a rest area on both sides of the stretch.


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    #25
    Sunny Dayz
    Registered Users Posts: 5,301 ✭✭✭Sunny Dayz


    Note that where the road works are on the speed limit has been reduced. Gardai were on the motorway this evening enforcing it.


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    #26
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    Long Gone wrote: »
    Like I said, an extremely poor and very short sighted decision.

    The NRA may claim (for their own convenience) that current traffic volumes don't justify service areas on both sides of the motorway, but those volumes will only increase in the medium to long term...

    I would trust in their use of portable road sensing technologies to gather data for the purpose of analytics. I know that traffic through the area will increase, but will it increase at a rate within the next 5 years, that will justify 2 separate service centres?
    nice_guy80 wrote: »
    Is this where the Chinese were meant to built their new Emerald City?

    That was to be built between Michael Moores Car Dealership and Golden Island.


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    #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    Yes, but then you'd need someone two run two loss-making service areas instead of one profit making one.
    There are plenty of single sides service stations in the UK on the more remote sections of motorway, largely down to the historical requirements to have them every 15 miles or so along the motorway. Some even have the restaurant on the overbridge to serve both sides with a small filling station at either end.


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    #28
    Long Gone
    Registered Users Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Zubeneschamali wrote: »
    Says you. The NRA says different:

    the NRA previously said the traffic volumes didn't justify a rest area on both sides of the stretch.

    Well they would say that, wouldn't they ? - Bear in mind that they are a government agency. It suits them to say that at the moment. This is not a remote section of motorway - It is at a very strategic location on the main artery between the east and the west of the country. They have displayed no foresight, no vision for the future, no ambition, hopeless...

    Are we back at the stage now where everything in Ireland has got to be second or third rate ?


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    #29
    demanufactured
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭demanufactured


    Apple green is at the coosan exit...


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    #30
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,240 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    Deleted User wrote: »
    There are plenty of single sides service stations in the UK on the more remote sections of motorway, largely down to the historical requirements to have them every 15 miles or so along the motorway. Some even have the restaurant on the overbridge to serve both sides with a small filling station at either end.

    That's understandable with a population of over 30 million. Here in Ireland our population is over 4 million.


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    #31
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Itzy wrote: »
    That's understandable with a population of over 30 million. Here in Ireland our population is over 4 million.
    :confused:
    It's the traffic passing the service station that matter, not the population of the country. It's more important to consider how far they've travelled and how much further they will be going.

    This location is near the half way point between Dublin & Galway.


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