[Chris_533976]

Ok there isnt a thread yet for this much needed scheme, so heres one.

Apparently a decision on the CPO is due on the 7th November. Yes, a Galway paper has reported this, so take it with a pinch of salt.

A decision on the Galway City Outer Bypass is expected this Friday, 7 November.

The eagerly awaited decision from An Bord Pleanála has been held up repeatedly for a number of reasons, most recently the mandatory translation into Irish of the planning authority's order.

According to a spokesman for An Bord Pleanála, the Galway City Outer Bypass is "one of the most complex projects" the board has on its books at the moment.

"This is a complex case and there's a lot involved. It's a very technical order and that's time consuming to translate. This isn't the first time this has happened; it often does in Gaeltacht areas. Because the Irish version is also a legal document, we have to be satisfied with it legally," he explained.

Galway Chamber, IBEC West and a number of local representatives, including Frank Fahey, have been supportive of the bypass in the past, but it's now uncertain whether Government funding will be available to complete it due to Budget cutbacks.

http://www.galwayindependent.com/loc...ion-by-friday/

Yes, with the cutbacks who knows whats going to happen to this. However, it wasnt specifically on the chop list. Will it be a tolled PPP? Who knows. Being as close as it is (~50km) from the Cappaghtaggle toll on the M6 to Dublin and being that it'll be the 3rd Dublin - Galway toll I doubt it.

Who knows. All will be revealed I'm sure. What we do know is that this is fairly high on the 'NRA list of priorities'.

[ohnoigotsick]

think if they tolled it no one would use it

[BluntGuy]

This isn't the same paper that reported that the 'next phase of the Gort to Crusheen scheme is set to begin' I hope...

I'd would've expected them to have a headline like 'Galway Bypass about to get underway in three years time'...

Anyway, the GB isn't part of the main Dublin-Galway route. It certainly isn't going to be motorway standard, as I've seen a few at-grade roundabouts on it (shorted-sighted perhaps?)...

[Chris_533976]

Plan is to have it grade separated from the Dublin Road to the Western Distributer Link road (new roundabout), then single carriageway (I think) from that roundabout to a new roundabout to the west of Barna.

That'll do it I think. The biggest thing about this scheme is that you'll be able to get round Galway without ploughing through it.

Dunno why is really isnt classed as Dublin - Galway... I've always wondered why this isnt part of T21 and yet the Limerick Tunnel is?

[nordydan]

Originally Posted by Chris_533976

Plan is to have it grade separated from the Dublin Road to the Western Distributer Link road (new roundabout), then single carriageway (I think) from that roundabout to a new roundabout to the west of Barna.

That'll do it I think. The biggest thing about this scheme is that you'll be able to get round Galway without ploughing through it.

Dunno why is really isnt classed as Dublin - Galway... I've always wondered why this isnt part of T21 and yet the Limerick Tunnel is?

I think its HQDC to the Western Distributer Link road, and DC afterwards (like at Greystones/Waterford orbital etc.) It has junction numbers, so it will probably be motorway.

[Poster King]

Tolling this road would be crazy, especially as it has so many junctions. to catch everyone using it you'd have to have several toll booths. If they toll it it will probably be just for those using the new Corrib Bridge I'd imagine, but again I say, tolling by-passes of towns is crazy i.e. M50.
I have little problem with tolling inter urban motorways as there are viable alternatives - i.e. the old National Primary Routes.

[serfboard]

Originally Posted by Poster King

Tolling this road would be crazy, especially as it has so many junctions. to catch everyone using it you'd have to have several toll booths.

Don't think so. In fact ...

Originally Posted by Poster King

If they toll it it will probably be just for those using the new Corrib Bridge I'd imagine

I think you're right here. The bridge is the catch all, though for those who want to avoid what will be big traffic jams at the Galway Clinic, they may go as far as the Headford Road (oh what fun we'll have then).

Of course, there is no access onto the old Tuam road, nor the Monivea Road. This means that people coming from East of Galway City, and working in Ballybrit/Parkmore, where the biggest single concentration of employment is, will have no option but to come off at the Galway Clinic anyway. In fact, thinking more about it, those coming from West of Galway City to Ballybrit will see no advantage to the GCOB either, since they'll have to come off at, at best, the Headford Road and will still get stuck in traffic then anyway.

Originally Posted by Poster King

but again I say, tolling by-passes of towns is crazy i.e. M50.

You may think it's crazy, and I may agree with you, but no one with the power to do anything is asking for opinions, or are likely to take any heed of them should they be expressed. In fact, the M50 and the Shannon Tunnel show the precedent which suggests that the bridge may indeed be tolled (whether barrier-free or otherwise).

Originally Posted by Poster King

I have little problem with tolling inter urban motorways as there are viable alternatives - i.e. the old National Primary Routes.

There will be an alternative to the bypass which is to stay on the same roads as they are. This then brings up the question as to how much you value a frustration-reduced journey. If you value it enough to pay the toll, then pay the toll you will. However, as I said above, I don't think it will make a difference for the majority of Galway commuters anyway, having no access to Ballybrit/Parkmore.

Nor, veering way off-topic, and for the same reason, will the Western Rail Corridor either. Proper bus transport is the only solution.

[rekrow]

Looks like it is back to the drawing board for the GCOB. According to this article in the Galway Independent part of the road has been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.

http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/bypass-blocked/

Personally I think this is going to make Galway a no go zone for the next 10 years. We can look forward to hearing that the traffic is backing up at the Doughiska roundabout for the coming years. I know even if it was approved there is little chance of it taking off in the current climate but at least if it was approved the plans would be on the shelf ready to go when thing do pick up.

The only positive is that the road did get planning permission for approximately half the route. This is from the end of the current N6 scheme as far as the N59.

[serfboard]

Don't worry about it - Frank Fahey is going to sort it all out

[rekrow]

Originally Posted by serfboard

Don't worry about it - Frank Fahey is going to sort it all out

to be honest I'd say he's a bit relieved. At least there is someone else to blame rather than the government when the road isn't built. If it is the rare protected habitat that they say it is why did they even try and route the road through here. It is amazing that there were so many houses built in this area over the last 10 years if it is so special. Ah well.

[Sponge Bob]

Frank has already 'urged' the NRA to announce they will build the approved portion forthwith. How they laughed at Frankeen , but they might announce it all the same

Frank always knew that the NRA always wanted to terminate the N6 Galway Bypass precisely where the ABP permission terminates.

That is at the N59 .

The remainder of the Galway Bypass + the proposed new R336 Barna - Rossaveal road is then to be rolled in together into a new super R336 project ...which has two chances of ever happening in my opinion .

There is another even larger wedge of the self same bog cotton around Spiddle somewhere together with some rare lichens and whatnots .

[Amtmann]

Irish Times piece on the rejection here: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...337391015.html

[Sponge Bob]

My My My . O Cuiv 'urged' the same thing Frank did

From that IT piece

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said the decision was "regrettable" but he urged that work begin as soon as possible on the stretch east of the river and that the National Roads Authority and Galway city and county councils meet to find an alternative route west of the Corrib.

That is the end of the stretch between the N59 and Furbo so . Gormley will never collude in sending a road through a priority habitat !

[KevR]

Originally Posted by rekrow

We can look forward to hearing that the traffic is backing up at the Doughiska roundabout for the coming years.

What are the chances of the NRA looking into putting a better junction in place at Doughiska where the M6 will join the existing N6 DC?

That RAB was only supposed to be a temporary terminating point from the M6 from Dublin until such time as the Bypass was built. Seeing as the Bypass won't be built I think they should reconsider this junction. It's not too late, they have started work on it yet..

[Irish and Proud]

Originally Posted by rekrow

The only positive is that the road did get planning permission for approximately half the route. This is from the end of the current N6 scheme as far as the N59.

...useless!!! IMO

Without the Western section, I don't think there's any point in doing the Eastern section as it will lead to nowhere basically, unless the N84 Headford Road is more important than I thought.

There's only one thing for it IMO, block all future building West of the Corrib and gradually retract the urban area there, especially from around the current ring road - the present S4 Corrib bridge such suffice in light of a decline in the West of Galway City. Given that Oranmore is already an isolated suburb, why not expand Galway City Eastwards to same instead, bringing it closer to the AWC etc. Also, there should be ample opportunity to provide for rapid transit such as the GLUAS etc, and without the disruption.

Now, about the planners/councillors in charge of the recent development around the city - heads should roll!!!

Regards!