[Chris_533976]

Tenders have gone out for N18 - Oranmore to Gort.

The good news of this is that both schemes appear to be starting next year. Kinda ironic considering that I made that "Which interurban will win" thread - now theres a chance that the N18 will win.

The proposed contract shall comprise the design, execution and completion of the Works but not limited to the provision of:

(i) approximately 27.7 kilometres of Dual Carriageway National Primary Road from the N6/N17/N18 Interchange in the townland of Rathmorrissy to the townland of Glenbrack north of Gort,

(ii) realignment of approximately 9km of single carriageway Local Roads;

(iii) approximately 17km of accommodation works Access Tracks;

(iv) 2 grade separated junctions;

(v) 30 number structures including 19 overbridges, 2 river bridges, 1 railway bridge, 4 accommodation overbridges, 4 accommodation underpasses

(vi) various culverts together with all other Structures necessary as part of the Design and the Works;

(vii) various chambers and ducting Works to be undertaken at various locations within the Site including those suitable for use by the Authorities, Utilities and Service Providers and Private Utility Services and the like;

(viii) various landscape environmental and mitigation Works;

(ix) various re-alignments of rivers, streams and the provision of drainage outfalls;

(x) various fencing, safety barrier systems and drainage Works;

(xi) various signing and lighting Works;

(xii) various earthworks Works;

(xiii) various Works including diversions of Authorities, Utilities and Service Providers and Private Utility Services;

(xiv) various Accommodation Works including accesses to properties and lands; and

(xv) various ancillary Works all as described elsewhere in the Contract.
Estimated value range between 120000000 and 160000000

Was thinking also, wouldnt it be interesting if Oranmore - Gort was open before Gort - Crusheen. Can you imagine what a chaotic nightmare Gort would turn into???

[Chris_533976]

Got some new infos.

There will be NO toll booths at Rathmorrisey, so only the mainline N6 will be tolled at Cappaghtaggle. NO tolls for Galway to Limerick/Tuam and vice versa.

Also, stuff is slipping again. The NRA tell me that they anticipate construction beginning in Q4 2008. But how much work will be done before then (as they do) I dont know.

The N18 Oranmore to Gort and the N18 Gort to Crusheen schemes are currently out to Tender. Tenders are due to be returned in mid 2008 and construction is scheduled to start in Q4 2008. Archaeological and environmental works required to be undertaken in advance of construction are in progress.

[Chris_533976]

I agree with amalgamating the M17 scheme with the Tuam bypass, as separate schemes they would be a 25km motorway and a 4km bypass. One without the other is stupid and a motorway coming to a halt a few hundred meters from Tuam and going at-grade through the town would be pandemonium. As for putting it with the other scheme I'd say it'd be too long as one scheme.

Something will have to be done about Claregalway, before theres a mutiny on this side of the island.

And when they fight about not building a bypass because of a cotton plant, I call them a bunch of hippies, Civil Servents or not!

[Sponge Bob]

Originally Posted by Chris_533976

I agree with amalgamating the M17 scheme with the Tuam bypass, as separate schemes they would be a 25km motorway and a 4km bypass. One without the other is stupid and a motorway coming to a halt a few hundred meters from Tuam and going at-grade through the town would be pandemonium.

Well I thought the Tuam bypass could be built in less than a year as envisaged ( 2 lane) but it may now become a Motorway too . It could go ahead by end next year on its own, no controversial EIS is anticipated and the CPO would be simple.

As for putting it with the other scheme I'd say it'd be too long as one scheme.

about 50km , same as Galway Ballinasloe .

Something will have to be done about Claregalway, before theres a mutiny on this side of the island.

Absolutely, 3km of road should deal with the worst of it , its simply painful . Noel Grealish has gone to ground on the matter, unsurprisingly . He won't even do meetings with Claregalway people now ...or any interviews .

And when they fight about not building a bypass because of a cotton plant, I call them a bunch of hippies, Civil Servents or not!

But they are Civil Servants, not crushties . In fact one government scientist alone made the strongest case against the Galway bypass !!

I cannot see it built within 5 years, even if there were €300+m for it which there is not as we all know.

Before the Dept of Finance has the goolies off the NRA and kills the Atlantic Road Corridor we may be lucky enough to get the N18 off to the diggers , and the N15 stranorlar bypass , but there are no further schemes through planning/eis/cpo/oral hearing and ready to go .

The N20 is years away , same stage as the N17 now , route selection FFS as is the Rest of the N15

[Sponge Bob]

Originally Posted by Chris_533976

Early mumblings are around 2010 or 2011 for the N20 to start - that will be Mallow - Croom as its the most needed. 2011 or 2012 for the others to start.

I believe that 2011 -2012 is the earliest feasible start .

We wont have a Patrickswell - Mallow route selected until 2009 after which detailed designs and all the rest must go through their usual tortous hugger mugger to enquiry and beyond to tender .

I therefore cannot possibly see it start until 2011 and the construction phase if it ever happens would last 2 years or so , max 3 .

Then there is the slight problem of the large rail scheme(s) in Dublin expected to be underway by 2011 and sucking the exchequer dry of capital funds for transport schemes .

Then there is the larger problem of exchequer funds themselves in the post celtic tiger hangover era .

The most I now expect in the west by 2015 is a small 3km long Claregalway bypass and the N18 and 5 km Tuam Bypass .

Realistically I only expect Gort - Crusheen and Claregalway by then , not even Gort-Oranmore and never mind the Galway Bypass which will still be stuck in Europe somewhere and stuffed in the back of Noel Dempseys bottom drawer while he lets the Greens deal with it .

The years 2009 and 2010 will see large expenditures on roads that are already being built even if no new schemes are started. After that the NRA will be a shadow of its former self and incable of progressing anything .

Such is the will of the Dept of Finance and Finance will win in the end ....and does not care about the west anyway, never did.

[Chris_533976]

My guesswork is that Galway - Limerick will be done to appease the west, much as the Western Rail Corridor. Cork to Limerick will be done around the later timescale, but as a tolled PPP. Galway - Tuam bypass will be done or there'll be a riot over here.

Apart from that, we might see the New Ross bypass and maybe Ballincollig - Macroom.

I think the stuff that will be culled is secondary schemes like the N24 Limerick - Waterford.

Again, guesswork tho.

[Sponge Bob]

Originally Posted by Chris_533976

My guesswork is that Galway - Limerick will be done to appease the west, much as the Western Rail Corridor. Cork to Limerick will be done around the later timescale, but as a tolled PPP. Galway - Tuam bypass will be done or there'll be a riot over here.

LOL Finance is not being decentralised to Galway is it ??

Apart from that, we might see the New Ross bypass and maybe Ballincollig - Macroom.

I think the stuff that will be culled is secondary schemes like the N24 Limerick - Waterford.

Again, guesswork tho.

Well only this time last year the N21 Castleisland Bypass was ready to rock in 2008 .

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp...g=ENG&loc=2126

Minister Cullen said: "As the Castleisland Bypass will assist in improving the economic and tourism infrastructure for the North Kerry area, I have asked the National Roads Authority to accelerate the necessary preparatory work so that construction can commence next year, 2008."



The Bypass, which comprises 5.4 kms of single carriageway, is the final section of the N21 road project that links the N21 at Killally to the N23 southwest of Castleisland. The Ballycarthy / Tralee leg (3kms) was completed in 2005 and the Castleisland / Abbeyfeale stretch (7 kms) opened in July last year.

And yet I suspect that this, along with the N21 Adare Bypass and the N20 are dead ducks . Any Road scheme that does not get started in 2008 is a totally dead duck now .

Furthermore Dempsey , a Meath TD, is minister for Transport so the real likelihood is that he will be minded to progress this other scheme .

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp...g=ENG&loc=2133

Both Transport 21 and the new NDP committed the NRA to carrying out a feasibility study on the Orbital Route. In April 2007, the NRA completed an updated feasibility study which builds on an earlier 2001 study, looking in particular at the costs and benefits of such a route.

As part of the study various possible route corridors were examined in detail. A corridor linking Drogheda to Navan to Naas was identified as the optimum route having regard to the policy objectives set out in the policy documents.

The primary objective of the Leinster Orbital Route is to provide an alternative bypass of Dublin for national road traffic not wishing to access the Metropolitan Area and to provide a transport link between development centres in the Hinterland Area of the Greater Dublin Area, in a way which supports their sustainable, physical and economic development.

The updated NRA study finds that there is merit in constructing an Orbital Route linking Drogheda/Navan/Naas.

Dempsey made no attempt to correct what Fred Barry said in May , Fred has clearance to say this from Dempsey all along .

http://www.ism.ie/blog/index.php/405...ital-motorway/

NRA chief executive Fred Barry said the inter urban motorway programme linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick, and Galway would be completed in two years time and the next major priority would be the Leinster Outer Orbital, which would connect with most of the main routes out of the capital.

Would you think that Dempsey will prioritise the Atlantic Corridor if he has already allowed the NRA to unilaterally rewrite the Transport 21 menu to deprioritise the Atlantic Corridor in favour of a road that is not even in Transport 21 but which puts Navan in the centre of the National Motorway nexus .

I think not. I am a realist . The Dept of Finance will buy this project over the Atlantic Corridor any day.

It will be cheap for the state and will of course be a tolled PPP project .

Follow the money Chris. Its not heading west and thats that , not even if Frank Fahey is promoted to Minister of Transport

[galwayrush]

I'd still prefer to see a Gort - Galway -Tuam Motorway, still can't believe the NRA opted for Athenry instead of Galway. Guess there's no point hoping they might reroute it so it's more useful.

[Cool Mo D]

I think they opted for Athenry for a few reasons, of varying convincingness.

Cost: It's (much) cheaper to build it to Athenry then closer in to Galway City.

Long-Distance traffic over commuters: It's obviously a better route for people travelling Cork/Limerick/Ennis to points north of Galway, as it won't be so crowded with commuters. It's also more direct for people living along the new M18/M17 corridor travelling East.

[rekrow]

Does anybody know what is going to happen to the designation of the road from Kilcolgan to Doughiska if the N18 between Gort and Rathmorrisey is built? Will it become an RXXX road with an 80kmph speed limit or will it become the N67 and keep its 100 kmph speed limit. If it is downgraded where will the N67 join the new N18?

[Colm R]

Originally Posted by rekrow

Does anybody know what is going to happen to the designation of the road from Kilcolgan to Doughiska if the N18 between Gort and Rathmorrisey is built? Will it become an RXXX road with an 80kmph speed limit or will it become the N67 and keep its 100 kmph speed limit. If it is downgraded where will the N67 join the new N18?

Good point. Keep an eye on what happens to the N8 between Durrow and Port Laois. Intellignetly, it should become the N77 and be the road from Kilkenny to Portlaois, otherwise you get an N road finishing at an R road. Hopefully this will happen to the N67 as well.

[marmurr1916]

Originally Posted by rekrow

Does anybody know what is going to happen to the designation of the road from Kilcolgan to Doughiska if the N18 between Gort and Rathmorrisey is built? Will it become an RXXX road with an 80kmph speed limit or will it become the N67 and keep its 100 kmph speed limit. If it is downgraded where will the N67 join the new N18?

Speed limits can be kept at 100 km/h (or more accurately, 'increased' to 100 km/h from the default 80 km/h) on Regional roads, whether they're former National roads or not, if the local county council wants.

Long stretches of the R639 (ex-N8) have 100 km/h in Cork and Tipp have 100 km/h speed limits.

The new speed-limit system allows for flexibility: even though the default speed limit on Regional roads is 80 km/h, a 100 km/h limit is permitted where road conditions allow and the local council approves.

If you're concerned, contact Galway County Council and ask them what their plans are and start lobbying your local county councillors too.

[Chris_533976]

I'm sure GCC in their wisdom havent even thought about this at all.

In any case most of the Galway roundabouts are so jammed that 100kmh is a pipe dream anyway

[invincibleirish]

Originally Posted by BluntGuy

I can certainly see things reaching their worst around 2010/2011, possibly even 2012, and no I don't see revenue recovering substantially within the medium term. But combine the remaining M20,M18 and M11 schemes. That's roughly 130 km worth of DC to construct within the space of a few years. I think that is (just about) feasible to do.

This is idle speculation on my part but by my reckoning, if there are limited funds for Roads in the post 2010 period then i would expect FF, er the Government, to reassess spending away from big projects like DOOR and the M20 and instead focus that money in lots of minor projects(currently 80+ in the first 3 stages of development on the NRA site) which are spread geographically across all of the constituencies, er the country.

Combine FF cute hoorism with the Greens having to grow a pair sometime and push for real improvements in public transport, which will take away from roads spending.

As i say all speculative, but you know on SABRE and other Nerd sites all those threads showing plans of long abandoned schemes from the heyday of British Motorway building which were cancelled or built piecemeal?i get a feeling most Irish projects currently not built or have no local lobby behind it will suffer a similar demise.

[BluntGuy]

Originally Posted by Sponge Bob

b) It is even questionable whether some of the MIU projects will be complete by 2010

The majority of the MIU sections are proceeding at a rapid pace.

It is the M7/M8 Portlaoise-Cullahill/Castletown and M7 Nenagh Bypass that are worrying me the most at the moment.