N52 Delvin-Mullingar

BrianD3

Don't know if this has been mentioned before but apparently this stretch of road (approx 19 km) is to get its limit reduced from the normal 100 km/h to 80 km/h

Westmeath Examiner wrote:

Traffic is about to get much slower on one of the most dangerous roads in the country, after Westmeath County Councillors voted to reduce the speed limit between Mullingar and Delvin on the N52 from 100km/h to 80 km/h.

Anyone who has ever driven on this route will understand the speed limit reduction. This a lethal twisty undulating road with virtually nowhere to overtake, many junctions and house entrances, poor visibility etc.

There are realignement works in progress just south of Delvin but these seem to have been going on forever and even when they're completed it won't make a huge difference as it's only a short section that's being upgraded. Does anyone know when this realigned section is to open.

What's the rest of the N52 like. I am only familiar with the part from Kells to Mullingar but I believe the road runs all the way from Dundalk to Limerick

nordydan

The N52 from Dundalk to Ardee is fair, although there is the M1/N33 alternative.
From Ardee to Kells is crap, and from Kells to Delvin is crap. The road from Mullingar could only be described as crap. Kells and ARdee are getting bypasses though. Delvin could do with one to serve the N51 and N52.

N52 from Mullingar to the new N6 will be very good, 2 schemes completed by early next year, the final one is part of the N6 upgrade and the one in the middle is at route selection stage. The road north of tullamore is reasonable but will be upgraded along with the new tullamore bypass which should be completed by 2010, then most of the journey to nenagh once again falls into the crap category again. A few bypasses round larger towns are needed.

The route from ardee to mullingar should be given high priority, there are millions of dangerous bends. It should provide a better route (WS2 would suffice) for (adopted) nordys like myself to go to galway and mayo. Most occasional drivers will tend to head this route along the M50.

Saruman

About time i hate this road.. in fact we discussed it in another thread about speeding (no one obeying!) a few weeks back.
Actually plenty of places where even 80km/h on this road is impossible.

westtip

BrianD3 wrote:

Anyone who has ever driven on this route will understand the speed limit reduction. This a lethal twisty undulating road with virtually nowhere to overtake, many junctions and house entrances, poor visibility etc.

This truly is a crap road, if you are travelling from the north west/sligo direction to Drogheda area - this is one route you can use to cut across West East via Navan and Slane. Three tolls (€7.50) are avoided to get to Drogheda this way rather than M4/M50 Cashlink bridge and the M1 and it is a lot shorter than going down to the M50 interchcange and getting delayed on the Cashlink bridge, so for all its twists and turns its a route that is used by a lot of cross country traffic. It is a route worth using to avoid tolls if nothing else, but it is dire, the fact is of course if it were any good, it could be used as an alternative route to Dublin Airport from the Midlands, and North West - avoiding tolls on the M4 and Cashlink bridge - which is probably why the road is not being made too much better, if it were better it could hit revenues on M4 and the Cashlink bridge.

road_high

This road is dreadful, it's really dangerous in places.Why can't they just realign the lot to a safe two lane/hard shoulder N road like it deserves, instead of taking the easy option of reducing the speed limit for already pressurised business people and commuters.

westtip

mfitzy wrote:

This road is dreadful, it's really dangerous in places.Why can't they just realign the lot to a safe two lane/hard shoulder N road like it deserves, instead of taking the easy option of reducing the speed limit for already pressurised business people and commuters.

Of course it is dreadful, and your idea would be a perfectly adequate solution for this route, but do you really believe they would take the simple option of upgrading the N52/N51 route from Mullingar to Drogheda making it a realigned national road with wide single carriageway and hard shoulder? This would take traffic from the Midlands and West heading for the airport off the shiny new PPP of the M4 and off the Toll bridge on the M50. Cutting across to Drogheda and dropping down the M1 to the airport would only involve one toll and would avoid the calamity of the M50. So it isn't going to happen because the partners in the PPP motorways and the cosy relationship between NRA and NTR won't let it happen. Conspiracy theory - you had better believe it.

BTW - a good link road of the N51 (upgrading the existing road to wide national road standards) from Navan/Slane to the M1 would also cut out the need for the M3 motorway - but this point has been debated elsewhere.

Also a question on this area of the country, are there many N4 commuters (daily users and not occasional ones) from Kinnegad Enfield road actively boycotting the new M4 Kinegad Kilcock section due to cost???

nordydan

The N51 is a danger to the toll companies, but an upgraded N52 is not so serious. The section between Ardee and Delvin at least should be prioritised. I nearly wrecked my car one time on this stretch, its a throw back to the good old days!

road_high

It's kind of systematic of the treatment of the national secondary routes under the current NDP and Transport21.
Any work done on them has mostly been cosmetic/surface renewal/ signage and other safety enhancements.
While this work is welcome and indeed neccessary, the Dept of Transport has failed to invest in MAJOR realignment schemes or proper bypasses on these routes. The N80 and N52 spring to mind immediately as deserving of such investment, I know Mullingar is getting a proper bypass and Tullamore planned.
But what about Birr and especially Portlaoise (N80 side)?The planned Mountmellick 'bypass' is equally unimpressive, it being a glorified relief road!

Saruman

westtip wrote:

Also a question on this area of the country, are there many N4 commuters (daily users and not occasional ones) from Kinnegad Enfield road actively boycotting the new M4 Kinegad Kilcock section due to cost???

I use this route... i generally use the old road on the way in to Dublin and use the toll on the way home. (to get home quicker).

Occidental

westtip wrote:

Also a question on this area of the country, are there many N4 commuters (daily users and not occasional ones) from Kinnegad Enfield road actively boycotting the new M4 Kinegad Kilcock section due to cost???

Most occasional users will use the M4. Regular users tend to use the N4, but may will use the M4 on the way home, especially on Fridays.

The R156 from Dunboyne to Mullingar is the traditional back road from Dublin. The N52 isn't really viable as an alternate route to the airport as it takes you too far north, even if you cut off at Athboy for Navan. An upgrade of the route would cut down on lost time, but I can't see it ever becoming quick enough to be a viable alternative.

westtip

Occidental wrote:

Most occasional users will use the M4. Regular users tend to use the N4, but may will use the M4 on the way home, especially on Fridays.

Has the motorway made a difference for the regular commuters still using the old N4 in the morning, I am an occassional user so tend to use the motorway - once a month the cost can be justified, but if I was commuting from say Moy VAlley/Enfield area would be disinclined to fork out €5 a day to save ten minutes, and I have noticed a lot of trucks coming off the M4 at Kilcock I can only assume to avoid tolls, I just wonder if it is being as successful as they claim

Occidental wrote:

The R156 from Dunboyne to Mullingar is the traditional back road from Dublin. The N52 isn't really viable as an alternate route to the airport as it takes you too far north, even if you cut off at Athboy for Navan. An upgrade of the route would cut down on lost time, but I can't see it ever becoming quick enough to be a viable alternative.

Yes I have used that route in the days when the old N4 was just chocker and needed to get to the Airport and couldn't trust or predict what might happen at the toll bridge, is it a commuter rat run/toll avoidance route now? I can see your point about taking you too far north for the airport using N52/N51 route I was thinking more about how I use this route to get to Drogheda, which I do on a regular basis, I find it takes about an hour after turning off the N4 Mullingar bypass to get to Drogheda on the N52/N51 route and about the same (only with a good wind, the foot down and no hold ups) to go down to the M50 interchange and swing back up the M1 - which adds mileage, and €7.50 in tolls.

nordydan

Having a quiet day in work yesterday, I wrote a letter to Louth CC in relation to roads in their area:

"Hello Sir/Madam,
I have some queries in relation to some proposed schemes in the Louth area. Do you have any updated information as to the future construction schedule and preferred route for the N2 Ardee bypass?
Could you also confirm whether there are any plans to improve the layout of the N53 from Dundalk to Castleblaney and what is the latest position on the propsed bridge link at the end of carlingford lough?
Regards,"

And their response:

"Thank you for your inquiry. In response:
·The Ardee Bypass has recently gone through an ‘An Bord Pleanála’ oral hearing as part of a CPO process. If an Bord Pleanálá approve the scheme and finance is secured we hope to complete detail design and prepare to start work on site. If all goes as planned it is possible work on site could begin by the end of next year.
·The N53 (Dundalk Castleblaney Road) has a number of ‘low cost’ measures under way and in the planning stage. We are also exploring with our colleagues in the NRA what would be the best way to improve this corridor to national standards.
·Their in on-going cross border dialogue over a link across Carlingford Lough. In the recent past a preliminary study found a bridge option was more difficult and appeared to favor a ferry crossing.
I hope this information proves helpful."

Occidental

westtip wrote:

Has the motorway made a difference for the regular commuters still using the old N4 in the morning, I am an occassional user so tend to use the motorway - once a month the cost can be justified, but if I was commuting from say Moy VAlley/Enfield area would be disinclined to fork out €5 a day to save ten minutes, and I have noticed a lot of trucks coming off the M4 at Kilcock I can only assume to avoid tolls, I just wonder if it is being as successful as they claim.

Many commuters and just about all the HGV's use the old road. Don't forget that along with the M4 we've also had the Mullingar-Downs-Kinnegad dual carraigeway, the Mullingar link road from the Ballymahon Road to the Hospital and the Edgeworthstown bypass. All of these have made a big difference to regular travellers and all are free. In the next year there's also the Mullingar southern bypass and the N6 dual carraigeway from Kinnegad to Kilbeggan(and Athlone in 2008).

A lot of regular Galway/Roscommon/Athlone users have started to route Athlone-Mullingar rather than the N6 within the last few months. The improvements in Mullingar, along with the N6 roadworks and bottlenecks at Moate etc, have made this worthwhile.

westtip wrote:

Yes I have used that route in the days when the old N4 was just chocker and needed to get to the Airport and couldn't trust or predict what might happen at the toll bridge, is it a commuter rat run/toll avoidance route now?

If you're coming from north Dublin, or anywhere up to Dunshaughlin, it's always been a good alternative. It saves the whole M50, Liffey Valley, Lucan Lights fiasco. Again, it's always busier outbound on a Friday afternoon.

nordydan

Here is a request for some information on the N52 south of kilbeggan.

QUERY:

"Sent: 01 August 2006 15:12
To: Roads
Subject: National Road Projects - N52 upgrade information request


Hello Sir/Madam,

I have some queries in relation to the Offaly section of the N52 and the proposed schemes in the area. Do you have any updated information as to the future construction schedule and preferred route map for teh N52 Tullamore bypass? Could you also indicate whether there will be significant improvements to the road northwards(to join the new N6 scheme) or southwards in the Limerick direction.

Thank you in anticipation of any help.

Regards"

REPLY:

"In response to your request detailed below, i can confirm the following

Tullamore Bypass
A route is now decided upon. This will be a design and build contract. The contract is being prepared by our consultants and will be complete by year end 2006. Therefore, subject to funding, construction work on the ground may commence within the next twelve months, and be completed before end 2009. (I reiterate, that this is subject to funding.)

N52 Tullamore - Kilbeggan
The process to upgrade this road is underway. It may consist of an upgrading to the existing route or one of 5 new 'green field' proposals. We are at an early stage and no other specifics are available. Timeframe is unknown at this stage but 3-5 years would be a good guess (subject to funding)

In addition there is no major road inprovments planned between Tullamore and Birr (and beyond) as i am aware, however many sections of this route are currently at quite a high standard, Local improvments will be ongoing.

Kindest Regards"

Update: See PRELIMINARY Tullamore bypass route attached

road_high

nordydan wrote:

Here is a request for some information on the N52 south of kilbeggan.

QUERY:

"Sent: 01 August 2006 15:12
To: Roads
Subject: National Road Projects - N52 upgrade information request


Hello Sir/Madam,

I have some queries in relation to the Offaly section of the N52 and the proposed schemes in the area. Do you have any updated information as to the future construction schedule and preferred route map for teh N52 Tullamore bypass? Could you also indicate whether there will be significant improvements to the road northwards(to join the new N6 scheme) or southwards in the Limerick direction.

Thank you in anticipation of any help.

Regards"

REPLY:

"In response to your request detailed below, i can confirm the following

Tullamore Bypass
A route is now decided upon. This will be a design and build contract. The contract is being prepared by our consultants and will be complete by year end 2006. Therefore, subject to funding, construction work on the ground may commence within the next twelve months, and be completed before end 2009. (I reiterate, that this is subject to funding.)

N52 Tullamore - Kilbeggan
The process to upgrade this road is underway. It may consist of an upgrading to the existing route or one of 5 new 'green field' proposals. We are at an early stage and no other specifics are available. Timeframe is unknown at this stage but 3-5 years would be a good guess (subject to funding)

In addition there is no major road inprovments planned between Tullamore and Birr (and beyond) as i am aware, however many sections of this route are currently at quite a high standard, Local improvments will be ongoing.

Kindest Regards"

Update: See PRELIMINARY Tullamore bypass route attached

Thats great bout Tullamore bypass, but wtf bout the Kilkbeggan-Tullamore; this is actually a very good road already!!!I can think of SO many others that deserve priority over this bit...

nordydan

mfitzy wrote:

Thats great bout Tullamore bypass, but wtf bout the Kilkbeggan-Tullamore; this is actually a very good road already!!!I can think of SO many others that deserve priority over this bit...

I think if I read literature somewhere correctly that the local council were pushing for a DC link. As Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar together are going to be a new hub (or whatever term under the national spatial strategy), this will link all 3 by DC (except for a new high spec WS2 N52 to mullingar)

you are right that other roads deserve better attention, even parts of the N52 deserve bette. My only guess could be that further upgrades south along the N52 have been demoted in favour of upgrading the N80 Tullamore to Portlaoise road with maybe a new northern distributor road in Portlaoise.

westtip

Occidental wrote:

A lot of regular Galway/Roscommon/Athlone users have started to route Athlone-Mullingar rather than the N6 within the last few months. The improvements in Mullingar, along with the N6 roadworks and bottlenecks at Moate etc, have made this worthwhile.
QUOTE]

That's interesting, I presume for Athlone you would take the Balymore road (R390) to Athlone, from Mullingar. I was toying with this idea recently when travelling from Dublin to Athlone and just knew I was going to hit Moate at the wrong time of day, but went off the idea as I wasn't sure what I had to negotiate at Mullingar, are you saying it has been made easier now at Mullingar when you come off the N4, at what point would you come off the N4 and is it well signed? Would be interested to hear as I can't stand Moate and do this route every now and again.

superdog

westtip - coming from dublin try take the third exit off the mullingar bypass -it's the one with the sign for castlepollard on it, but you'ld turn left and head towards the town - you'ld have to go through a collection of roundabouts on the outskirts of mullingar then, let me count - 1 at the hospital, 2 on the ballinacarrigy road, and the third *one then is the one you'ld want for the athlone & ballymahon roads - turn right onto that road and take the first left then and you're on your way to athlone.

* note also there are some (two i think) roundabouts installed with no turn offs to the left or right but are installed for future housing developments - i didn't count these