M7 Motorway (general thread)

Chris_5339762 · 13-05-2011 11:46am

richiek83 wrote: »

Whether they ever see the light of day is one thing but interesting objectives all the same. I also noted that the council has maintained its objective to have a third lane in each direction along the M7 as the need arises

Yeah while I understand that bridge work and junction upgrades and funding would have to be done, I still cant believe BOTH M1 widening schemes are being done while the M7 widening got canned completely.

Chris_5339762 · 17-05-2011 5:58pm

Am I crazy in hearing rumours that there work going on down at the Moneygall junction so it isnt so crap for Mr Obamas visit next week?

veryangryman · 17-05-2011 9:11pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Am I crazy in hearing rumours that there work going on down at the Moneygall junction so it isnt so crap for Mr Obamas visit next week?

Helicopter

klypso · 17-05-2011 9:34pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Helicopter

Just a few bollards around the exits (bringing it down to one lane) also southbound is down to 1 lane just before Moneygall too.

NFD100 · 18-05-2011 1:47pm

Pretty sure this junction is going to be upgraded when the Supermac services goes in

9_Iron · 18-05-2011 11:54pm

I got an up-close-and-personal view of the roadworks/line of bollards (delete as appropriate) at the Moneygall exit today.
I doubt it has anything to do with the Obama visit, as similar arrangements were done up around the Roscrea junction a while back.

What it is doing, though, is making the Moneygall on/off ramps even more of a challenge than usual, as the filter lanes (not especially long anyway) are down to no more than about 50m now, with a Yield sign perched at the end.
I had to come to a dead stop and gingerly pull out into the outside lane today, which is not an ideal way to get going on a motorway.
Likewise, coming off is tricky, as the run-off is down to about a third of the normal length.

If you're passing the exit in the coming days, please mind your speed and be aware that traffic entering and exiting will be down to a crawl.

MYSTICA1 · 23-05-2011 3:03pm

I've been looking at Google maps .. That shows an Osberstown Interchange ... Can anyone tell me if that ever opened ? If not, Will it, & When ? Thanks

L1011 · 23-05-2011 7:01pm

Not opened, not built, not funded, not likely...

Tele Atlas are renowned for jumping the gun.

Browney7 · 31-05-2011 3:55pm

acorn1984 wrote: »

I've noticed this too! My car has low suspension so notice pretty much everything! It's at one particular point along that scenic route, and I always grab the wheel thinking my tyre's after bursting! I presume it's just an eneven surface though... interesting someone else noticed that!!

As an aside, noticed a brood of ducklings (I think) by the central median, inside the while line, after the cork m8 exit today on way to LMK today. Two by two, waddling along - tiny things. Think the mother had been run over in hard shoulder. My icy heart melted for a brief moment...wanted to ring somebody, but who to contact in such circumstances? Seemed a bit devastating...

Ha I came on to ask this aswell. That Birdhill phase hasn't exactly been fantastic has it. I reckon its the road alright.

popebenny16 · 07-06-2011 5:07pm

as we know now the NRA built a temporary ramp off the M7 to allow President Obama do his car ride into moneygall.

there appears to have been some work done on J22, but cant tell what. I can tell of a nice pothole developing at the top of the off ramp ex Limerick at the N62. I can also tell of another nice pothole developing on the M7 itself between the M7/8 junction and the Tollbridge heading towards Dublin on the left lane where one one of tar meets with the start of the next lot. Shocking when you consider the age of the road.

Have also noticed the birdhill area wobbles.

Mc Love · 22-06-2011 10:13pm

Anyone know the reason there are loads of cones on the road around Roscrea/Obamaland? There doesnt seem to be any work going on! And there are no hedges tall enough being cut

Mc Love · 26-06-2011 11:19am

Mc Love wrote: »

Anyone know the reason there are loads of cones on the road around Roscrea/Obamaland? There doesnt seem to be any work going on! And there are no hedges tall enough being cut

Was heading northbound and cones are more on opposite side of road (southbound), do they just alternate them every week as clearly no work is being carried out, our very little if there is

NedNew2 · 03-07-2011 5:39pm

I was passing through the M7/M8 toll at Portlaoise on Saturday and there was a queue of at least 25 cars and a waiting time of 7 or 8 minutes.

I thought there was some agreement in the concession contract that if there was more than x number of vehicles queued up then the toll gates have to be opened for free passage of the traffic.

Can anyone confirm if that is true or not? Do you know if the details are online anywhere? I might complain if that is the case.

Thanks

popebenny16 · 14-07-2011 1:22pm

NedNew2 wrote: »

I was passing through the M7/M8 toll at Portlaoise on Saturday and there was a queue of at least 25 cars and a waiting time of 7 or 8 minutes.

I thought there was some agreement in the concession contract that if there was more than x number of vehicles queued up then the toll gates have to be opened for free passage of the traffic.

Can anyone confirm if that is true or not? Do you know if the details are online anywhere? I might complain if that is the case.

Thanks

never heard of this, and i notice that there is usually only two operators on during the day (plus the change only automatic barriers) and the pre-pay barrier. It can get a bit behind when there is a big day out in croke park for example.

in the evenings there is only one human on each side, usually several gates shut, guess they made the reasonable assumption that as the main motorway to the south and south west it would have been more busy than it otherwise normally is.

popebenny16 · 14-07-2011 1:29pm

during the week the junction at Roscrea has been closed to allow for works to be done on the slip roads. seems that they have firstly altered the profile to avoid the big lip you meet at the N62 and secondly they have applied, I think, anti-slip coating to the surface given that the thing is so steep that it will be impossible to use on icy and snowy days.

shows they are listening to people anyway.

meanwhile, as i pointed out before, the sinage on the N62 at this junction is still causing confusion and led to a crash on Friday which involved two units of the fire brigade being called out. A similar crash earlier last week made AA roadwatch, this one didnt.

The signs indicating the left turn (when you will be expecting a right turn) are too small, people are either doing u-turns, or drifting as they try to understand just what the hell is going on. Regular users are actually used to it by now, one UK plated car drifted in frount of me yesterday and I knew from the way he was approaching the junction that he was going to do it.

Bigger signs, further away, would stop it.

On a more positive note, incidents involving vehicles coming off the M7 and onto the ramps seem to have stopped.

L1011 · 14-07-2011 5:55pm

There is a clause to that affect in all the older contracts so I'd assume its standard. Drop the NRA an email and they will reply - just might take a few days.

Wild Bill · 06-03-2012 7:31pm

Reactivate thread!

Today, westbound, the hard shoulder was closed and some drilling work was going on beside the M7 in the Bog of Doom! :eek:

Is she sinking already?

trap4 · 14-03-2012 4:58pm

I was on the road the same day and wondering the same thing! Anyone?

richiek83 · 02-04-2012 12:46pm

The upgrade of the Naas/ Newbridge bypass is still in planning according to the NRA website. Many projects have been suspended, wonder could this proceed within the next five years?

http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/KildareCountyCouncil/N7NaasNewbridgeBypassUpgrade/SchemeName,17315,en.html

L1011 · 02-04-2012 9:01pm

They've a tender out for ground investigation works for it, so yes, it quite likely will.

Chris_5339762 · 02-04-2012 10:40pm

Anyone got any more information on it? Is there any chance of them upgrading the M7/9 junction while they're at it?

L1011 · 02-04-2012 10:51pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Anyone got any more information on it? Is there any chance of them upgrading the M7/9 junction while they're at it?

There's actually been something to do with putting two lanes on the M9N->M7E merge from memory.

Can't see them putting in the missing movements, not even the quick/cheap one (M9N->M7W).

JeffK88 · 02-04-2012 11:08pm

These sites are interesting recent news for the upgrade of the naas newbridge bypass upgrade.

http://www.onbid.org/bids/M-Naas-to-Newbridge-Bypass-Upgrade.sq7144894.htm

http://www.tendersdirect.co.uk/Search/Tenders/Live.aspx?ID=%20000000003610704

Looks like this could happen quite soon

Also on etenders

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB309896

JeffK88 · 02-04-2012 11:20pm

Finding more

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR322895&catID=1

Only put up about 8days ago

road_high · 02-04-2012 11:21pm

JeffK88 wrote: »

These sites are interesting recent news for the upgrade of the naas newbridge bypass upgrade.

http://www.onbid.org/bids/M-Naas-to-Newbridge-Bypass-Upgrade.sq7144894.htm

http://www.tendersdirect.co.uk/Search/Tenders/Live.aspx?ID=%20000000003610704

Looks like this could happen quite soon

Also on etenders

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB309896

"Construction of additional lane and ancillary works on the Eastbound carriageway of M9 at the junction with the M7"
Surely this only means where the M9 and M7 merge the lane is to be extended. Neccessay certainly, but quite a bit away from a full 3rd lane from there to past Naas which is what is fully required.

road_high · 02-04-2012 11:22pm

JeffK88 wrote: »

Finding more

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR322895&catID=1

Only put up about 8days ago

Oh that's better a full extra lane for the 13 km

. The existing road is at breaking point since the M9 was finished especially.

JeffK88 · 02-04-2012 11:26pm

This project should include some kind of link up for the DOOR motorway whenever that gets built . But knowing this country they will overlook that and upgrade this section and completely rip it up to build a new junction for the DOOR. But in saying that it would be great to have this project started .

ardmacha · 02-04-2012 11:36pm

http://www.onbid.org/bids/M-Naas-to-....sq7144894.htm

Why is Laois county council involved with this?

L1011 · 02-04-2012 11:45pm

ardmacha wrote: »

Why is Laois county council involved with this?

Appears to be a cockup

"1.1
Authority Name and Address
Official Name:
Kildare County Council
Postal Address:
Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas,"

".3
Completed documents must be returned to:
Official Name:
Kildare National Roads Design Office
Postal Address:
Maudlings, Naas,"

That said, councils can and do work on road designs outside their area. Kildare CC did the planning app, CPO, etc for Newlands Cross!

munchkin_utd · 03-04-2012 9:32am

mfitzy wrote: »

"Construction of additional lane and ancillary works on the Eastbound carriageway of M9 at the junction with the M7"

Surely this only means where the M9 and M7 merge the lane is to be extended. Neccessay certainly, but quite a bit away from a full 3rd lane from there to past Naas which is what is fully required.

Theres no need for a 3rd lane for the whole way as plenty enough dont know how to use a motorway and the innermost lane would just remain empty until the split for Waterford, with cars doing 80kmh using the middle lane as the driving lane - rendering the 3 lane highway useless.
(unless you want to zoom along the empty driving lane at 120kmh "undertaking" all the slow moving trafic in the middle and outer overtaking lane!)

M7 Motorway (general thread)

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