[Article] Brennan unveils €300m Laois motorway scheme

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/2157636?view=Eircomnet

Brennan unveils €300m Laois motorway scheme
From:ireland.com
Monday, 15th December, 2003

The Minister for Transport today set in train the building of a 42 kilometre stretch of the Dublin to Cork motorway.

The Portlaoise-to-Cullahill section of the road will link up with the Portlaoise bypass. Mr Brennan today launched the Motorway Order and the Environment Impact Statement for the motorway scheme.

The public-private partnership project will require an investment of more than €300 million.

"It is now Government policy to immediately accelerate the completion of motorways to the South (Cork) and the West (Galway) while at the same time maintaining the momentum in finishing the other inter-urban routes," the Minister said.

"The Portlaoise-Cullahill project will make a major contribution to achieving the goal of having continuous motorway to the South within three to four years," he added.

Mr Brennan said he hoped motorways to the Cork and Galway from Dublin would be finished by 2007.

The motorway to the South will be about 267 kilometres in length and of that, 67 kilometres is complete, 25 kilometres is under construction and due for completion late 2004 or early 2005. Some 175 kilometres is going through the planning process.

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2003/12/15/story125736.html

Brennan announces plans for new toll road
15/12/2003 - 9:43:44 am

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has announced plans to build a new toll road between Portlaoise and Cullahill in Co Laois.

The 42km stretch of motorway could reduce journey times between Cork and Dublin by up to 45 minutes.

Mr Brennan said the new road, when combined with the Monasterevin by-pass, would increase the length of the M7/M8 motorway from Dublin to the south to almost 130km.

In addition, the 7km Cashel By-Pass will be open to traffic in 2004.

The project will require an investment in excess of €300m and is currently being advanced as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2003/12/15/story125746.html

AA and hauliers hit out at toll plans
15/12/2003 - 11:07:36 am

The Automobile Association and road hauliers have criticised Transport Minister Seamus Brennan’s plans to toll the new stretch of motorway between Portlaoise and Cullahill in Co Laois.

Both groups said the toll, which could be up to €6 for articulated trucks, would discourage such vehicles from using the new road.

The AA said these large trucks would continue to use minor roads through small towns in the area, defeating one of the purposes of the motorway project.

However, Mr Brennan defended his plan. “Infrastructure is expensive, it has to be paid for and we either pay for it our of tax money or we try to recover some of it from the companies and the people who use the motorways,” he said.

De Rebel

From:ireland.com Monday, 15th December, 2003
Mr Brennan today launched the Motorway Order and the Environment Impact Statement for the motorway scheme.url]

Very misleading.

On first reading this, it sounds as though he is releasing the EIS, i.e. the conclusion of the EIS process. More careful suggests that he is in fact announcing the start of the EIS process. Meaning that he will get to "launch" this project at least 5 more times...... "Results of the EIS", "Approval of Funding", "Commencement of Works", "Completion of Works", "Opening of the Road"

Given that it took 7 years to complete the previous section (Kildare Bypass), and the failure to deliver any reforms which will actually enable rapid infrastructure construction (aka the much announced "Critical Infrastructure legislation") how the hell does he hope to have this 42km section together with another 133km that has not yet been started completed and open by 2007 ?????

Master of Spin that man.


And on a technical point, to have a motorway from Dublin to Cork by 2007 will require the replacement of the Naas Dual Carriageway with a motorway, and that one isn't much more than a glimmer in a few property speculators’ eyes.

Victor

Originally posted by De Rebel
And on a technical point, to have a motorway from Dublin to Cork by 2007 will require the replacement of the Naas Dual Carriageway with a motorway, and that one isn't much more than a glimmer in a few property speculators’ eyes.

They'll build the M40 from Naas to Maynooth to Drogheda and you'll be able to use the M4 to get to Dublin

De Rebel

Originally posted by Victor
They'll build the M40 from Naas to Maynooth to Drogheda and you'll be able to use the M4 to get to Dublin

Ah yes but that would require upgrading the inner leg of the N4 to M4

Andrew Duffy

Actually, both the N4 and N7 are due to be grade-seperated and upgraded to 2x3+buslane as far as the M50. Note that Brennan always includes "or high-quality dual carriageway" in his press releases, even when said dual carriageway certainly isn't high-quality yet.

N4: http://www.sdcc.ie/index.aspx?pageid=982
N7 (Dublin): http://www.sdcc.ie/index.aspx?pageid=981
N7 (Kildare): http://www.kildarecountycouncil.ie/Nrdo/Current_Schemes/naas-interchange/naas-interchange.asp

dubhthach

Andrew is correct (well regarding N4/M4 as far as i know) working for galway county council i keep a interest in the Galway Dublin dual carriageway scheme. heck my dad has the entire plan for the oranmore-ballinsloe section at home.
From what i've read in NRA material the N4 is to be ugraded to motorway standard back as far as the M50 junction.
I've also heard something similar about the N7 but wan't paying much attention at the time

Regarding the length of time to complete kildare bypass, well the whole situation regarding Pollardstown Fen really threw a spanner in the process

Victor

Press Release
http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=4523&lang=ENG&loc=1345

Map
http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/4523-0.pdf

NeRb666

What they said: MINISTER SAYS DUBLIN-CORK MOTORWAY WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE BY END OF 2007

What they meant: Actually there isn't a hope in hell of it being finished by 2007, but it sounds good now and just in case we're still in govt. then, we never actually said it definitely would be completely completed.

Victor

lol @ ^

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/02/05/story132835.html

Intercity motorways just a few years down road, says Brennan
05/02/2004 - 1:43:48 pm

The new multi-annual funding arrangement for road and infrastructural projects should see motorways from Dublin to Cork, Galway and Limerick substantially completed by 2008, it was predicted today.

The Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan made the claim as €8bn has been guaranteed for the opening of vital economic corridors infrastructure projects over the next four years.

Brennan stressed that while major motorway routes were the priority, investment will be maintained in finishing other inter-urban routes.

He said today: "The combination of the agreed five year rolling multi-annual investment package, the maximum use of Design and Build or fixed price contracts and the enhanced management of projects by the NRA means we can deliver major roads projects faster, within budget and, in most cases, ahead of schedule.

"This will result in the delivery of a major uninterrupted motorway building programme year after year," he added.

In 2004 there will be a total investment of €1,223m that will allow construction to begin on up to 17 major schemes, work to continue on 17 other schemes, 12 of which will be completed in 2004.

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/2480942?view=Eircomnet

Brennan to outline €1.2bn road programme
From:ireland.com
Thursday, 5th February, 2004

The Minister for Transport is to unveil details of this year's €1.2 billion road-building programme and will outline progress in work on a motorway network linking the State's major cities.

Mr Brennan and the National Roads Authority (NRA) will give a rundown on which road projects will begin in 2004 and update on the progress of others under way.

The Minister has €1.227 billion for investment this year and more than €7 billion over the next five years.

In December, Mr Brennan announced a major revision of the timetable for the building of motorways from Dublin to Cork and Galway. The revision will see both routes "substantially completed" by 2007.

The Government decided that at least three motorways should be substantially completed by 2007 - just one year off the original target in the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

Mr Brennan said the prioritisation of the three routes over the next five years would not cause other road projects to be delayed.

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/2481818?view=Eircomnet

Brennan insists motorways will be finished by 2007
From:ireland.com
Thursday, 5th February, 2004



Motorways from Dublin to Belfast, Cork and Galway will be finished by 2007, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, insisted today.

Rejecting suggestions the completion date was too ambitious, the Minister said he was "determined" to have the three roads open by the end of that year.


"I can't guarantee that every inch of the roads will be complete, but I am determined that we get this done by the end of 2007," Mr Brennan said.

Unveiling this year's National Roads Programme at the Department of Transport in Dublin this afternoon, the Minister announced an investment of €1.223 billion in the State's roads in 2004.

The funds announced are part of a guaranteed investment figure of €8 billion for the nation's roads over the next five years. A total of €6.8 billion of these monies will come from exchequer funds with the remaining €1.2 billion provided by public-private partnerships.

The money will see work begin on 12 major National Road Authority projects by December and continue on 17 other projects, 12 of which are scheduled to be completed by the year's end. An additional five new projects will also be launched, budget permitting.

Among the schemes due for completion under the plan this year are the Monasterevin bypass, the Cashel bypass, the Ashford/Rathnew project on the N11, the Ballincollig bypass and the Strokestown/Longford road on the N5.

The M1 motorway from Dundalk to the Border will be completed in 2006, providing continuous motorway from Dublin to Northern Ireland.

The programme also envisages work beginning on a third lane on the M50 C-Ring in Dublin and improvements to the Red Cow interchange. These works are set to be complete by 2007.

Works will also begin this year on the Dundalk Western and Fermoy bypasses, both of which will be funded by way of public-private partnership. Construction will also commence on the Ashbourne bypass (M50 junction), the Waterford bypass and the Mullingar bypass.

Aside from the plans revealed for roads, the Minister announced all road signs would be rendered metric on a date, yet to be decided, in September. An awareness campaign will take place before the changeover.

A number of speed limit changes, yet to be finalised, will also come in on the same date as the switch to metric. Among these are a change in the 60 mph limit on country roads, to 50 mph, and the upgrading of speed limits on certain sections of roads such as the Stillorgan dual-carriageway in Dublin.

Also contained with the programme are plans to finance the construction of a series of Garda observation platforms on major national routes. In broader road safety terms, more than €17 million has been allocated to the NRA's road safety programme this year.

BigCon

Does anyone know when the Monasterevin bypass will open. AFAIK it was originally scheduled to open in 2005, but is way ahead of schedule and will probably open before Christmas 2004. However, a neighbour of mine works on it and he claims that it will be finished by Paddy's day (2004). Given that I don't think much of it is tarred yet, I can't see this being true...

sceptre

"I can't guarantee that every inch of the roads will be complete, but I am determined that we get this done by the end of 2007," Mr Brennan said.

I may sound like I'm nit picking for the sake of it but if every inch of the roads isn't complete by the end of 2007 then the scheme won't be finished by the end of 2007.

Victor

The NRA website indicates the end of this year for Monasterevin.

http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/SchemeActivity-2004/

M7 Monasterevin Bypass Wide-median motorway linking the Kildare Bypass to the Portlaoise Bypass, designed by Kildare National Roads Design Office/Arup and managed by Kildare National Roads Design Office, which will complete the motorway route from Naas to Portlaoise. This scheme contract was awarded in January 2003 and construction commenced in Q2, 2003. The contractor is Roadbridge/Sisk. This is a Design/Build contract. 17km Q4, 2004

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/2485921?view=Eircomnet

Brennan sets 2007 to finish motorway projects
From:ireland.com
Friday, 6th February, 2004

The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, has set 2007 as his target for the completion of full motorways running north, south and west from Dublin under an €8 billion roads programme.

Referring to the M1 between Dublin and Dundalk, he said yesterday that his aim was to do the same for Cork and Galway.

"I'm not saying that every last inch will be done by the end of 2007, but I believe in setting targets," he said, adding that rapid progress on "rolling-out-the- roads programme" had become possible because of an "historic agreement" with the Department of Finance on a multi-annual funding arrangement for the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Describing this as a "very exciting breakthrough", he said the guaranteed investment of more than €8 billion over the period 2004-2008 would avoid the "slow-downs and restarts" that used to happen when roads were funded year by year.

The €8 billion consists of €6.8 billion in public funding and a further €1.2 billion from the private sector, to be paid back from tolls. Government policy is to move to electronic or "barrier-free" tolling as a priority, he said.

There was also "more clarity" in the programme since the Government decided that the three strategic corridors linking Dublin with Belfast, Cork and Galway should be finished first, and to fill in other "gaps" as soon as possible thereafter.

"The benefits of the Belfast road demonstrate that it's only when you join the dots that you see the full picture," Mr Brennan said, adding that the remaining link between Dundalk and the Border would be completed in 2006.

Key aspects of the national roads programme in 2004 include:

17 major projects under construction as at January 1st, 2004, with a combined length of 149 km;

the start of construction on up to 17 major projects with a combined length of 155 km;

the completion of 12 major projects which will see the opening of 80 km of new roadway to traffic;

the completion of statutory procedures for all remaining sections of the major inter-urban routes (Dublin-Cork, Dublin-Galway, Dublin-Limerick and Dublin-Waterford);

the provision of €5.15 million for crash barriers in medians, €950,000 for new lay-bys and Garda observation platforms, and €5 million for metrication of speed-limit signs.

The NRA's overall allocation of €1.223 billion for 2004 was welcomed by NRA chairman Mr Peter Malone.

"Our biggest crib was that we didn't know from year to year where we were going, but now we can run it more like a business - a huge business."

Under the package, Mr Brennan said the high level of investment in 2004 would be maintained. "This will result in the delivery of a major uninterrupted motorway building programme year after year."

He complimented the NRA for "putting up with the pressure, most of it from me" and said that switching to design-and-build or fixed-price contracts meant that most schemes could now be delivered on time and within budget.

Mr Michael Tobin, the NRA's chief executive, said substantial progress was being made in expanding national roads programme activity in the Border Midlands and Western (BMW) region, where there had been a perceived funding gap.

This year, in addition to the nine new projects commencing construction, he said three major projects will be completed and opened to traffic - the N4 Hughestown/Meera, N5 Strokestown/Longford and M7 Monasterevin bypass schemes.

The schemes due to start this year include the Sligo inner relief route, which involves extending the N4 dual-carriageway through the town, as well as the Bundoran-Ballyshannon bypass in Co Donegal and the Ennis by-pass in Co Clare.

The NRA's forward planning allocation of €96.5 million will facilitate the early publication of a motorway scheme and environmental impact statement for the planned major upgrade of the M50, starting with the notorious Red Cow interchange.

Mr Tobin said it should be possible to start work on the Red Cow interchange and the N4 Palmerstown interchange in 2005 as well as widening the M50 by an extra lane in each direction between the two junctions, with a view to completion in 2007.

It is planned to spend €65.2 million this year on national primary road pavement (i.e. surface) rehabilitation, junction improvements, traffic route lighting and retrofitting crash barrier in motorway/dual-carriageway medians. A total of €45 million has been allocated to the five-year pavement restoration programme for national secondary roads.

Under a new Government Road Safety Strategy for the period 2004 to 2006, the NRA has been allocated €17.27 million for its work in this area. It says the better safety record of motorways and dual carriageways will save 50 lives annually.

Victor

Bote there are a large number of attchments / links at this link with further information.

http://www.nra.ie/News/PressReleases/d1073.HTML.html

€8 Billion Spend on National Road Improvement Programme kicks off in 2004

Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority (NRA), today (5 February, 2004) announced details of a significant expansion in national roads programme activity made possible by the Exchequer provision of €1,280 million for road improvement and maintenance works in 2004. This compares with an expenditure outturn of €1,223 million in 2003.

This year’s provision is part of the multi-annual funding arrangement secured from Government by the Minister for Transport, Mr. Seamus Brennan, T.D., which will see €8 billion (Exchequer : €6.867b; private funding : €1.15 b.) invested in upgrading the network of national roads over the period 2004-2008.

Commenting on the prospects for 2004 Mr. Malone stated, “The National Roads Authority has worked hard to deliver on the ambitious objectives set by Government in the National Development Plan. The progress achieved in advancing road scheme proposals through planning and design and the statutory approval process will bear significant results in 2004 with the expected commencement of construction on up to 17 major schemes throughout the country. These have a combined length of 155 km and will supplement work currently underway on 149 km of national road, involving 17 road schemes.

This year will also see increased activity under the Authority’s Public Private Partnership Programme. We expect to commence work on the M1 Dundalk Western By-Pass, M8 Fermoy Watergrasshill scheme and the N25 Waterford City By-Pass and to attract substantial private funding to the benefit of these schemes and the roads programme generally.”

Key aspects of the national roads programme in 2004 include:

• 17 major projects under construction as at 1 January, 2004 with a combined length of 149 km;
  
• the commencement of construction on up to 17 major projects with a combined length of 155 km;
  
• increased level of road building activity in the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) Region - 9 of the planned 17 scheme starts are located in the BMW Region;
  
• the completion of 12 major projects which will see the opening of 80 km of new roadway to traffic;
  
• continuation of the substantial programme of pavement (i.e. road surface) rehabilitation on the national primary and national secondary network;
  
• the allocation of €96.5 m. for scheme planning and design, land and property acquisition and preliminary site investigations, including archaeological investigations and excavations;
  
• the completion of statutory procedures (i.e. preparation of Motorway Schemes/Compulsory Purchase Orders and Environmental Impact Statements) for all remaining sections of the major inter-urban routes (Dublin-Cork, Dublin-Galway, Dublin-Limerick and Dublin-Waterford; these procedures are already completed for the M1 Dublin/Border/Belfast route);
  
• the allocation of €17.265 m. for road safety measures to cater for implementation of the Minister for Transport’s forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, 2004-2006, and the Authority’s ongoing road signage and lining programme;
  
• the provision of €5.15 m. for the retrofitting of crash barriers in motorway/dual carriageway medians;
  
• the implementation of a bridge management programme entailing inspection, maintenance and, as necessary, rehabilitation works aimed at preserving the national roads stock of bridges in a ‘fit-for-purpose’ condition;
  an allocation of €5 m. to cater for the planned metrication of speed limit signs, and
  the retrofitting of lay-bys and Garda observation platforms on major routes at a cost of €950,000.

Mr. Michael Tobin, NRA Chief Executive, stated ‘I am very pleased to see substantial progress being made in expanding national roads programme activity in the BMW Region. The Authority has been active in its efforts to advance projects in the Region, and this year, in addition to the nine new projects commencing construction, three major projects will be completed and opened to traffic - the N4 Hughestown/Meera, N5 Strokestown/Longford and M7 Monasterevin By-Pass schemes.

This year’s planning allocation will ensure the early publication of the Motorway Scheme and Environmental Impact Statement for the Authority’s planned major upgrade of the M50 Dublin C-Ring and should make it possible to commence construction work on the provision of a third lane and improvements to the M50/N7 Red Cow interchange and the M50/N4 Palmerstown interchange in 2005.”

As regards road safety, Mr. Tobin stated, “The record allocation for road safety measures in 2004 should ensure that the Authority ‘hits the ground’ running as regards our implementation of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, 2004-2006. Our aim will be to complete remedial measures at 80 high risk accident locations during the year. The safety effort will also benefit from the Authority’s introduction of a new programme aimed at addressing higher cost accident remedial measures at 20 locations on national roads over the duration of the strategy. An allocation of €1.825 m. is being made for this purpose in 2004 to initiate this important work.”

A total of €96.5 million is being allocated for projects at planning and design stage for land and property acquisition and preliminary site investigations, including archaeological related investigations and excavations. This allocation will see the completion in 2004 of statutory orders and Environmental Impact Statements for all remaining sections of the five major inter-urban routes.

The Authority plans to spend €65.2 million this year on national primary road pavement (i.e. surface) improvements and minor works. Works under this category are aimed at pavement rehabilitation, junction improvements, traffic route lighting, and particularly in 2004, a programme of crash barrier retrofit in motorway/dual carriageway medians. This work is intended to maintain the road network in good structural order, taking account of the higher axle loads permitted in recent years, and to provide safe and comfortable driving conditions for road users.

A total of €45m has been allocated to the Five Year Pavement Restoration Programme for national secondary roads. Significant progress has been made on this pavement rehabilitation programme in 2002 and 2003, particularly on such strategic national secondary routes as the N52, N54/N55 and N80 which traverse the country diagonally. Substantial progress has also been made in improving driving conditions on other national secondary routes generally, including important tourist routes on the western seaboard.

The N52 Mullingar By-Pass, N55 Cavan By-Pass and N56 Mountain Top / Illustrim) schemes are expected to start in 2004. In addition, funding is being provided for ongoing land and design costs for the N52 Mullingar/Belvedere and N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension and to complete the CPO and EIS for the N52 Tullamore By-Pass. €23.8 m. is being allocated for this purpose and for minor works on national secondary roads.

Cont./...

Victor

Cont./...

Road Safety

A new Government Road Safety Strategy is being developed to cover the period 2004 to 2006. This will be aimed towards achieving further significant reductions in road accident fatalities and injuries. A number of the measures within the Strategy will relate directly to the NRA’s work and these will be carried out over the period of the Strategy.

€17.265 million has been allocated to the Authority’s road safety programme in 2004.

A significant safety dividend will be achieved as a direct result of the planned completion of 900km of motorways and high-quality dual carriageways in line with the policy objectives for national roads contained in the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The risk of head-on collisions and conflicts associated with junctions and right-turning manoeuvres will largely be removed. The better safety record of these types of roads will result in a saving of over 50 lives annually once they have been completed. To maximise the increased safety benefit, road safety audits are carried out on all new schemes on national roads.

Work on improving the safety of the existing national road network is carried out in the following areas:

• Accident Remedial Schemes
  The works concerned are intended to enhance the safety of the roads system through changes in road layout, junction control and improvements in signage and road markings. It is anticipated that remedial measures will be carried out at 80 locations in 2004. In addition, the Authority is introducing a special programme focusing on higher cost accident remedial measures; €1.825 m. is being provided for this purpose in 2004 as part of a strategy intended to address 20 such locations over the period 2004-2006.
• Traffic Calming
  The traffic calming schemes funded by the Authority aim to improve the safety of national roads where they pass through towns and villages. It is intended to complete 20 such schemes in 2004.
• Road Safety Research
  Under the Authority’s road safety research programme reports will be prepared on speed and seat-belt wearing and road accident facts so as to inform the work of the Government’s High Level Group on Road Safety.
• Safety Barriers in Central Reservations
  As part of a review completed in 2001, the Authority decided to provide median crash barriers where the width of the central median on motorways and dual carriageways is 15 metres or less. The Authority also decided to initiate a programme for the retrofitting of barriers in medians falling into this category. A provision of €5.15 m. is being made for such work in 2004.
• Enforcement of Road Traffic Legislation
  As part of extensive co-operation on road traffic management and with a view to facilitating Garda enforcement of road traffic legislation, including checks on speed, the Authority will finance the construction of Garda observation platforms on major national routes.