M50 - first freeflow section at N4 to open early new year (2007)

darkman2

http://www.m50.ie/pages/pressarea-n4-freeflow.htm

This will be followed by major delaying diversions at this interchange for the rest of the freeflow elements to be put in place. I wouldnt like to be those actually using the freeflow slip onto the bridge. I can see major delays occuring here:eek:

Work is progressing well on Contract 1; the widening of the M50 between the N4 Interchange and Ballymount Interchange to provide an extra lane in each direction, the upgrading of the N4 and N7 Interchanges to make them freeflowing and the upgrading of Ballymount junction to two bridges and with improved access.

A hint here for the N7 perhaps;)

jmkennedyie

If I was not mistaken last night I think I spotted pillars to support a new bridge just to the North of the Red Cow...but that doesn't help solve the mystery, or does it...:cool:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=51839018&postcount=64

jmkennedyie

Regarding the new traffic management phase (off darkman2's link)...

"Another new traffic management phase at the N4 early in the New Year will also remove the traffic lights for traffic travelling eastbound through the N4 junction,(ie; traffic travelling from Leixlip/West direction), heading to the city. According to Frank Coffey, Director of Transportation, South Dublin County Council, "this will give considerable benefits to the majority of traffic using the N4"."

...I wonder how will traffic from M50 Southbound get to N4 Westbound without traffic lights to stop the N4 Eastbound traffic? Seems there will need to be 1 set of lights, or maybe they will ask traffic to go up to Palmerstown lights to do a u-turn?

On a side note, nice to see the new deck go in for the first new bridge at this junction (the wide one just South of existing bridges). Bail O Dhia ar an obair!

darkman2

They still have an awful lot to do with this junction. Good to see the various elements being put in place without too much disruption. I think that may change though in the coming weeks as things get realigned.

Chris_533976

Any chance anyone could take a few pics??

Ice_Box

jmkennedyie wrote:

...I wonder how will traffic from M50 Southbound get to N4 Westbound without traffic lights to stop the N4 Eastbound traffic? Seems there will need to be 1 set of lights, or maybe they will ask traffic to go up to Palmerstown lights to do a u-turn?

Good question. Its not addressed in the PR but maybe the bridge at this section will be in place as seen here http://www.m50.ie/images/n4-after.jpg

When the say early in the new year the could mean April.

jmkennedyie

Well that would be the business - haven't seen that side of the site in a month or two.

jimmycrackcorm

The M50 from the N4 exit heading southbound would need four lanes judging by the current traffic travelling south.

darkman2

Media Statements
18 December 2006

BRIDGE BEAM WORK ON N4 INTERCHANGE COMPLETED EARLY. NO DIVERSIONS NEEDED TONIGHT OR TOMORROW NIGHT

Monday 18th December 2006: The contractors on the M50 (SIAC Ferrovial) completed the bridge beam lift on the N4 Interchange on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December and therefore do not require the northbound motorway to be closed under the N4 Interchange tonight (Monday 18th Dec) or tomorrow night as programmed.

Seems the bridge work has been completed early:rolleyes:

Stark

jimmycrackcorm wrote:

The M50 from the N4 exit heading southbound would need four lanes judging by the current traffic travelling south.

I think it will have. 3 lanes for main motorway traffic and a dedicated lane for traffic heading straight from the N4 to the N7.

Ice_Box

It will difficult for traffic coming out of liffey valley who want to get accross to the m50 south. They’ll have to cross at least 4 and up to 6 lanes of heavy traffic in a short distance.

jimmycrackcorm

The N4 Freeflow junction won't make any difference to morning rush hour traffic going into the city at the moment except move the build-up from Woodies closer to Liffey Valley due to the Palmerstown junction.

Ice_Box

It was supposed to open this morning but I dont think it did

The following traffic is affected: Traffic heading from the N4 to the Westlink M50 toll bridge A new slip road from the N4 to the M50 northbound (from Lucan to the Westlink toll bridge) will be opened to traffic at 6.00am Tuesday the 16/01/2007.

For traffic heading from the Lucan By-Pass destined for the Westlink toll bridge:

A new slip road to the Westlink toll bridge (M50 North bound) will open immediately after the pedestrian bridge approaching the junction. This replaces the existing access onto the M50 northbound. Motorist should be aware that there will be temporary pedestrian lights on this slip road.

For traffic heading out of town on the N4 destined for the Westlink toll bridge:

The existing northbound on ramp will be closed permanently. For the time being, out of town traffic will have to u-turn at the Liffey Valley underpass and access the Westlink toll bridge (M50 North bound) via the newly opened slip road. Motorist should be aware that there will be temporary pedestrian lights on this slip road.

Full details and maps are available at www.M50.ie

Please exercise care when using new or unfamiliar roads

jkgvfg

AA Roadwatch say it has been delayed until Saturday. So next Monday will be the first real test of it.

It's open now..

Lets see how many middle laners get caught out;) .

jmkennedyie

Just seen "M50 Leaflet 2.pdf": Progress Update February 2007. >500MB so too big to upload. Some interesting points...
- Western side of N4 roundabout to be closed within a few weeks, not now as previously advertised.
- All 4 mainline lanes are moving into the middle during Easter, both verges being worked on in parallel, not one side at a time as previously advertised.
- Mainline verge works, N4 junction & Ballymount interchange to be completed by end of 2007
- N7 junction upgrade will continue into 08.

Ice_Box

I used the new slip road this morning. You can’t call it a free flow slip road because it has pedestrian traffic lights on it but it moved very well for peak time on a Tuesday. I’ve sometimes spent more than half an hour queuing there , 10 minutes this morning. Very happy so far.

seamus

Ice_Box wrote:

I used the new slip road this morning. You can’t call it a free flow slip road because it has pedestrian traffic lights

ARRGGHGH! :mad:

Nothing more irritating than putting in great roads which are supposed to relieve traffic congestion, and then sticking pedestrian lights on them. Alternatives people. Wouldn't surprise me if we saw a big set of pedestrian lights on the brand new 3 lane M50 :rolleyes:

How does the new slip affect the inbound traffic? That lane was never a major issue - it's traffic going southbound that tends to cause the N4 to clog up - but the extra lane should provide extra capacity. Or are people just using it to skip to the front, then holding up the whole system by crossing over at the roundabout?

Andrew Duffy

They are temporary traffic lights.

jkgvfg

I come up from Liffey valley and head towards Palmerstown and the middle lane was quite free as well, which was good. Heading onto M50 southbound was bad this morning but that was due to a crash.

What surprised me was how few cars seemed to be heading on the diversion out to Liffey Valley from town to go northbound or from the M50 Northbound to go into town. I thought this would cause trouble but didn't see any cars at all while I was passing! Edit: Oops, just saw the post by jmkennedyie telling me it isn't happening for a few weeks - guess that explains it!

On the traffic lights, they are for people who cross over the N4 pedestrian bridge to get to the bus stop until they build a new pedestrian bridge. I wouldn't think they go red all that much.