TII Motorway Service Areas (MSA) Progress Thread

Geogregor · 05-01-2015 11:42pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

So the athlone MSA is really well underway then?....it was hard to find anything on google news articles about it!

I didn't even know there is going to be one between Jct7 ad Jct8.

Who is going to be operator there? Is it official MSA or something more like the "Obama Plaza"

STIG83 · 05-01-2015 11:51pm

I posted this in another thread but got no reply, hopefully it ok to post it here:

I drive M9 motorway a lot to Kildare. Something I notice is the lack of county border signs, Carlow have one southbound and Kildare have one northbound.
Kilkenny had one southbound but don't see it anymore?

Can someone shed light on this?

D Trent · 06-01-2015 12:05am

Geogregor wrote: »

I didn't even know there is going to be one between Jct7 ad Jct8.

Who is going to be operator there? Is it official MSA or something more like the "Obama Plaza"

It is official as it is 'online'
So it needs to meet high NRA specifications
Expect it to be Topaz or Applegreen/Burger King/Costa/Subway

veryangryman · 06-01-2015 10:05am

D Trent wrote: »

It is official as it is 'online'
So it needs to meet high NRA specifications
Expect it to be Topaz or Applegreen/Burger King/Costa/Subway

Whats with the SmileyFace (Subway excluded). All of those restaurants/cafes are terrible. Haven't seen 1 decent services since Monsasterevin. They set the bar - shame nothing similar on D-G corridoor.

marmurr1916 · 06-01-2015 2:51pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Strangely enough, this is the exact same progress level as the Athlone East MSA. Would it be fair to suspect that they are timing the opening of both to coincide with the election to say "Look what we did when in power" etc?

Although I dont really think MSA's count as "fikshing the road"

The next Irish general election isn't due until March 2016.

I doubt that MSAs will feature in any party's election campaign.

Chris_5339762 · 06-01-2015 8:50pm

The 'official' ones will be a carbon copy of the M1 services, but just one station on one side.

vince · 07-01-2015 12:13am

I passed some stations on the m1 why is there an apple green and top canopy at the same station.

flazio · 07-01-2015 12:16am

Applegreen is aimed more towards the domestic motorist, Tedcastle Oil Products are for commercial vehicles.

spacetweek · 12-01-2015 11:51am

Passed M9 Kilcullen MSA yesterday, lots of progress made on the slips which have their surface down, no guardrails yet though. The overbridge is substantially complete. However I couldn't see any buildings from the road.

redtelephone · 12-01-2015 4:57pm

STIG83 wrote: »

I posted this in another thread but got no reply, hopefully it ok to post it here:

I drive M9 motorway a lot to Kildare. Something I notice is the lack of county border signs, Carlow have one southbound and Kildare have one northbound.
Kilkenny had one southbound but don't see it anymore?

Can someone shed light on this?

Can't shed any light but I did notice the Kildare and Carlow signs are a few hundred metres apart which makes you wonder where the actual boundary is. I could be wrong but I drive that road a lot and can't remember ever seeing a sign for Co. Kilkenny. The boundary is about 2km on Carlow side of J7 (Paulstown).

Geogregor · 12-01-2015 10:13pm

It might not be the best place to ask but does anyone know how is construction of the two pairs of Applegreen MSAs in Northern Ireland progressing?
They started quite a while ago but I can't find any updates anywhere.

L1011 · 12-01-2015 10:17pm

He doesn't post here at all, but Wesley Johnston would be the best person to ask I guess - http://wesleyjohnston.wordpress.com/

spacetweek · 13-01-2015 12:35pm

Geogregor wrote: »

It might not be the best place to ask but does anyone know how is construction of the two pairs of Applegreen MSAs in Northern Ireland progressing?
They started quite a while ago but I can't find any updates anywhere.

M1
M2

However it looks like Wesley doesn't have any updates either since last summer

MJohnston · 13-01-2015 12:55pm

spacetweek wrote: »

M1
M2

However it looks like Wesley doesn't have any updates either since last summer

In fairness to him, neither does the M1 MSA.

Geogregor · 13-01-2015 3:47pm

I routinely check his website as it is a mine of useful information but as you said no updates about MSAs since the last summer.

I thought that some of you guys might have driven there recently or saw some updates in local media.
Normally such lightweight construction should take only a few months. There should be significant progress visible by now.

The same must be true about the unofficial MSA on M8. (I know, not this thread

BTW, didn't you guys think about merging this thread with the one about unofficial MSAs?

MJohnston · 13-01-2015 4:19pm

Geogregor wrote: »

I routinely check his website as it is a mine of useful information but as you said no updates about MSAs since the last summer.

I thought that some of you guys might have driven there recently or saw some updates in local media.
Normally such lightweight construction should take only a few months. There should be significant progress visible by now.

The same must be true about the unofficial MSA on M8. (I know, not this thread

BTW, didn't you guys think about merging this thread with the one about unofficial MSAs?

SABRE is sometimes better for NI roads than here, I think the aforementioned Wesley frequents their forums.

BelfastVanMan · 13-01-2015 4:20pm

Looks like the M2 one is almost built...the fitting out of the shop has begun.

STIG83 · 13-01-2015 4:42pm

redtelephone wrote: »

Can't shed any light but I did notice the Kildare and Carlow signs are a few hundred metres apart which makes you wonder where the actual boundary is. I could be wrong but I drive that road a lot and can't remember ever seeing a sign for Co. Kilkenny. The boundary is about 2km on Carlow side of J7 (Paulstown).

Carlow and Kildare border would be Castledermot.
Only reason I ask is for tourists who visit here every year and wouldn't know where the counties start and end.

I def remember seeing a sign for Kilkenny, as it had it's motto: "open your heart to it" on it.
Have emailed NRA about it and still waiting for reply.

jd · 13-01-2015 5:29pm

There a report in the Business section of the Wexford People that Sean O'Neill has said that construction of the service area near Gorey will not be complete until end of February, that 4 tenders are being reviewed, and that it would be late September/October before this opened

Also Arklow-Rathnew Motorway should open late August-September

cargo · 13-01-2015 9:48pm

Geogregor wrote: »

It might not be the best place to ask but does anyone know how is construction of the two pairs of Applegreen MSAs in Northern Ireland progressing?
They started quite a while ago but I can't find any updates anywhere.

Geogregor wrote: »

I routinely check his website as it is a mine of useful information but as you said no updates about MSAs since the last summer.

I thought that some of you guys might have driven there recently or saw some updates in local media.
Normally such lightweight construction should take only a few months. There should be significant progress visible by now.

The same must be true about the unofficial MSA on M8. (I know, not this thread

BTW, didn't you guys think about merging this thread with the one about unofficial MSAs?

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Looks like the M2 one is almost built...the fitting out of the shop has begun.

Passed there on Friday. As BVM said the M2 one is substantially complete. The structure is up and the fitout is underway.

There are still at earthworks on the M1 site. They are moving a large amount of soil on this one.

redtelephone · 13-01-2015 9:54pm

STIG83 wrote: »

Carlow and Kildare border would be Castledermot.
Only reason I ask is for tourists who visit here every year and wouldn't know where the counties start and end.

I def remember seeing a sign for Kilkenny, as it had it's motto: "open your heart to it" on it.
Have emailed NRA about it and still waiting for reply.

The Carlow Kildare border is about 3.5km south of Junction 4 (Castledermot) on the M9. It should be possible for the NRA to put the Carlow and Kildare county signs right at the border, and I'm wondering why they haven't done that.
https://goo.gl/maps/VoCbF

linny · 17-01-2015 11:31pm

STIG83 wrote: »

I posted this in another thread but got no reply, hopefully it ok to post it here:

I drive M9 motorway a lot to Kildare. Something I notice is the lack of county border signs, Carlow have one southbound and Kildare have one northbound.
Kilkenny had one southbound but don't see it anymore?

Can someone shed light on this?

seen an article in the Kilkenny people this week that the NRA has agreed to put up county signs for Kilkenny on the m9

STIG83 · 18-01-2015 1:17am

linny wrote: »

seen an article in the Kilkenny people this week that the NRA has agreed to put up county signs for Kilkenny on the m9

Link?

jd · 02-03-2015 9:47am

Gantries/signage up for (not yet open) service station north of Gorey on the N11

hi5 · 02-03-2015 11:10am

Do both offline and online services get blue signs, or are offline signs brown?

BoatMad · 03-03-2015 2:34pm

offline get low key brown, the differences in signage for the Cullinmore and Gorey are remarkable !

Schadenfreudia · 05-03-2015 9:52pm

BoatMad wrote: »

offline get low key brown, the differences in signage for the Cullinmore and Gorey are remarkable !

Pity the difference between the brown signs for just offline (like Cullinmore etc) and "the nearest village" isn't as clear!

BoatMad · 06-03-2015 11:32am

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

Pity the difference between the brown signs for just offline (like Cullinmore etc) and "the nearest village" isn't as clear!

In my view private service stations built to serve motorways should be provided with similar signage to NRA service stations.

Given the spat between Applegreen and the NRA , can't see that happening !!

marmurr1916 · 07-03-2015 1:57am

BoatMad wrote: »

In my view private service stations built to serve motorways should be provided with similar signage to NRA service stations.

Given the spat between Applegreen and the NRA , can't see that happening !!

It's a pity that they can't come to an arrangement whereby the private MSAs meet minimum standards in return for enhanced sign posting.

I'd like to see the NRA come to an agreement with the owners of private MSAs to sign post them as extensively as the NRA MSAs in return for the provision of minimum service levels, to be specified and agreed between the NRA and the private MSAs.

I've no doubt that most of the private MSAs would easily meet the same standards as the NRA MSAs already. Those that don't could be improved.

Such an arrangement would facilitate choice and convenience and save the NRA some money too.

Any private MSA that didn't come up to scratch could be penalised with fines (set out in the contract) with the ultimate sanction of the termination of the agreement and the removal of the enhanced signage at the expense of the private MSA's owners.

flazio · 09-03-2015 12:01pm

Fining is a bit heavy handed isn't it? At the end of the day people will vote with their feet (or tyres as the case may be) if somewhere is substandard drive on to the next place. Take down the signs if it is poor but don't go hitting the business in the pocket. it'll be the poor employees that'll feel it worst.

Reuben1210 · 09-03-2015 2:15pm

Well the applegreen MSA at cullenmore on the M11 is at the same standard as the other applegreen msa's on the motorway network, and still doesn't get the same signs....just brown ones...I don't think that is fair, considering the investment was in the region of €7m for a great facility!!

Schadenfreudia · 09-03-2015 5:13pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Well the applegreen MSA at cullenmore on the M11 is at the same standard as the other applegreen msa's on the motorway network, and still doesn't get the same signs....just brown ones...I don't think that is fair, considering the investment was in the region of €7m for a great facility!!

I suppose the problem is it hasn't got a dedicated junction so the gantry is already taken?

pajoguy · 09-03-2015 5:55pm

Planning is being applied for off line services at Junction 11(Dromoland) on the M18. Plenty of objections in from local businesses and the NRA also have a submission in. Its located where the old compound was for the construction of that road.

loyatemu · 11-03-2015 4:29pm

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

I suppose the problem is it hasn't got a dedicated junction so the gantry is already taken?

To all intents and purposes it does have a dedicated junction, there's virtually nothing else at Cullenmore.

Reuben1210 · 11-03-2015 4:55pm

that's what I mean...it is pretty unique in that way, and maybe should be given exception?

Schadenfreudia · 11-03-2015 10:56pm

loyatemu wrote: »

To all intents and purposes it does have a dedicated junction, there's virtually nothing else at Cullenmore.

It is the exit point for non-motorway traffic heading south or joining the N11 heading north.

munchkin_utd · 12-03-2015 2:23pm

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

It is the exit point for non-motorway traffic heading south or joining the N11 heading north.

useful to know, but essentially only tractors, and even then, my only time to use that road recently I turned off at Cullenmore and the tractor laden with hay ploughed on down the motorway.

Junctions not serving a town, urban population or destination of any kind like Cullenmore are the perfect place for an unofficial MSA.
J3 M8 Manor Stone services would be the similar, abeit that is a moderately busy junction on local through traffic and quarry traffic.
But again, it doesnt really serve any town as Abbeyleix/Durrow traffic towards Dublin would be as quick to goto Portlaoise on the old road (not to mention saving a toll), so it is also essentially a rural junction serving next to no population with no prospect of that ever changing and a perfect place to locate an offline MSA.

Schadenfreudia · 12-03-2015 3:14pm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

useful to know, but essentially only tractors, and even then, my only time to use that road recently I turned off at Cullenmore and the tractor laden with hay ploughed on down the motorway.

The short stretch of M11 betweens Coynes and Wicklow is notorious from non-motorway traffic (including cyclists).

Never seen a tractor or bike pulled over. Maybe when it's continuous all the way to Gorey they'll clamp down on tractors

Reuben1210 · 12-03-2015 3:41pm

Does anyone here have any useful info or news on whether after the motorway to oilgate is completed sometime circa 2018, that the stretch of low quality DC between bray and coynes cross is earmarked to be upgraded, and even a third lane added as far south as kilmacanogue or glen of the downs, as the traffic levels there are now way over the limit of what that road was designed to take, and will only get worse..?? (I can't find the most recent report on this, but it is out there)

spacetweek · 13-03-2015 6:20pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Does anyone here have any useful info or news on whether after the motorway to oilgate is completed sometime circa 2018, that the stretch of low quality DC between bray and coynes cross is earmarked to be upgraded, and even a third lane added as far south as kilmacanogue or glen of the downs, as the traffic levels there are now way over the limit of what that road was designed to take, and will only get worse..?? (I can't find the most recent report on this, but it is out there)

Wicklow CC did a report a few years ago but there is no concrete plan or funding. Yes, traffic is very high and even if they can't make it into a motorway they can at least widen it to 6 lanes.

loyatemu · 19-03-2015 1:43pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Does anyone here have any useful info or news on whether after the motorway to oilgate is completed sometime circa 2018, that the stretch of low quality DC between bray and coynes cross is earmarked to be upgraded, and even a third lane added as far south as kilmacanogue or glen of the downs, as the traffic levels there are now way over the limit of what that road was designed to take, and will only get worse..?? (I can't find the most recent report on this, but it is out there)

In fairness it's only really low quality between Bray and Kilmac. Beyond there they could do with closing a few extraneous junctions but the road is pretty good.

The Newtown Bypass and Coynes Cross sections are motorway standard - I assume the only reason it hasn't been redesignated is because the back road between Newtown and Ashford is very narrow.

Reuben1210 · 19-03-2015 1:49pm

loyatemu wrote: »

In fairness it's only really low quality between Bray and Kilmac. Beyond there they could do with closing a few extraneous junctions but the road is pretty good.

The Newtown Bypass and Coynes Cross sections are motorway standard - I assume the only reason it hasn't been redesignated is because the back road between Newtown and Ashford is very narrow.

Also,
is it not a European directive that this route E01 must be motorway standard?

Carawaystick · 19-03-2015 3:57pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Also,
is it not a European directive that this route E01 must be motorway standard?

E routes are a UN thing, so no directive. Also the N1 from Ballymascanlon to the Armagh border is non-motorway and only recently built.

rameire · 19-03-2015 6:20pm

seems like not much has been going on lately on the M9 just after Kilcullen.
but
they are just completing the final layer on the last slip road, so that would be all the slip roads done.
they have spread alot of top soil and are near t completion on the tidy up side.
barriers are 95% complete on the main line.
all they need to worry about now are the actual services.

Reuben1210 · 19-03-2015 6:24pm

rameire wrote: »

seems like not much has been going on lately on the M9 just after Kilcullen.
but
they are just completing the final layer on the last slip road, so that would be all the slip roads done.
they have spread alot of top soil and are near t completion on the tidy up side.
barriers are 95% complete on the main line.
all they need to worry about now are the actual services.

Do you have any [ictures of the progress? are they going to be as good quality as an online facility, like the M11 service area in Wicklow? or more like Cahir?

rameire · 19-03-2015 6:31pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Do you have any [ictures of the progress? are they going to be as good quality as an online facility, like the M11 service area in Wicklow? or more like Cahir?

ill have to check the wife's dash cam, that's all I would have.

BoatMad · 19-03-2015 8:33pm

loyatemu wrote: »

In fairness it's only really low quality between Bray and Kilmac. Beyond there they could do with closing a few extraneous junctions but the road is pretty good.

The Newtown Bypass and Coynes Cross sections are motorway standard - I assume the only reason it hasn't been redesignated is because the back road between Newtown and Ashford is very narrow.

true , but the anomalies of various speed limits on some sections of the N11 /M11 need to be looked at

A camera van for example was situated for several days at the 100kmh section which runs about 500 metres from the end of the roadwork to the arklow exit , which then magically becomes a motorway , this nonsense needs to end

jd · 19-03-2015 10:39pm

BoatMad wrote: »

true , but the anomalies of various speed limits on some sections of the N11 /M11 need to be looked at

A camera van for example was situated for several days at the 100kmh section which runs about 500 metres from the end of the roadwork to the arklow exit , which then magically becomes a motorway , this nonsense needs to end

This all off topic, but it's 100 there because of the Lilos for Arklow rugby club, think there have been a few accidents there.
https://www.google.ie/maps/@52.831994,-6.126427,3a,75y,129.01h,67.53t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sdrQKZeNrhKP43fLpwvSnlw!2e0?hl=en
Anyway, they will be closed off and Coynes Cross to south of Gorey will be all motorway in August, with Gorey - Oylegate motorway by 2018. A motorway always starts at an exit, so vehicles/bicycles/drivers not permitted on the motorway may take an alternative route. The north end of the dual carriageway around Arklow does not start with a junction, so the motorway cannot start there, the next junctions are the Lilos, so can't start there, hence motorway starts at the junction you mentioned.

spacetweek · 20-03-2015 1:53pm

Reuben1210 wrote: »

Also,
is it not a European directive that this route E01 must be motorway standard?

Seems to be frequently misquoted. There's an EU directive that Euroroutes 'should' be motorways if possible but they're still subject to case-by-case study.

Carawaystick · 20-03-2015 3:35pm

jd wrote: »

This all off topic, but it's 100 there because of the Lilos for Arklow rugby club, think there have been a few accidents there.

There are no collisions reported at those junctions according to the map on the rsa website
http://rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Ireland-Road-Collisions/

The road is 100 because WCC never applied to increase the speed limit on the dual carriageway section.

The speed cameras are there because the gards and rsa allow an overly long "risk zone" where there have been accidents, and roll up incidents where Joy riders killed people and murders with "normal" RTA's

But we've digressed now from the thread's point a lot.

TII Motorway Service Areas (MSA) Progress Thread

Comments