Motorway Signage Changes

BluntGuy

When are they going to start changing the HQDC signage on various schemes across the country that were redesignated to motorway standard?

The example I'm referring to is from Cahir to the end of the Cashel Bypass. There must be two roads there both signed as the N8 and it really is infuriating. Yesterday, somebody who came to visit me was confused by the inconsistent signage and nearly ended up getting lost.

Also, I've noticed on the Cahir-Mitchelstown straight, all the signs saying 'M8' and some of the 'Motorway End' signs that were previously erected were removed. This really defys all logic and makes the road seem very barren and incomplete.

Cool Mo D

I think they're doing it now, definitely some of the green N6 signs on the reclassified kinnegad-kilbeggan N6 dual carriageway have been taken down and replaced by blue motorway signs.

The removal of the old N8 signs is a slightly different issue, now that it's not actually the main road, it's been downgraded to a regional route, and the Co. Council, rather than the NRA are responsible for the signage.
That being said, resigning of these routes is a disgrace - the N18 is still signed right through Ennis for example, when the bypass has been open well over a year. The same with the N7 into Limerick, when it actually goes around the ring road. Part of the contract for building the new route should include resigning the old, because it is very confusing to have two routes signed withthe same road number, as you say.

BluntGuy

Well the old N8 is apparently the old R639, but it's only signed like that a motorway junctions.

As for the M8 Motorway, at Junction 11, the 'Motorway End' signs that were erected before have been removed, and all signs saying 'M8' have been covered with black tape. I don't know what they hoped to achieve by doing this, but I'm just glad it'll be sorted out on September 24th.

Carawaystick

N6 west from kinegad to kilbeggan has blue signs, mostly green eastbound.

Amtmann

Many blue signs were erected between Cashel and Cahir (M8) during this week just ended, replacing most of the green signs which had been in place since October 2007.

The green signs along the Cashel Bypass will be replaced from next Monday. I know this because all the new blue signs have been placed on the ground by the present signs, ready to be erected.

BluntGuy

Thank heavens for that!

It's been an infuriating three months, watching people getting penalised for going at the speed at which the road WAS DESIGNED FOR. I honestly don't know why 100 kmp/h was so rigidly enforced. I saw no cyclists or pedestrians on the motorway everytime I drove on it.

Oh, one more thing. Has the ridiculous black tape covering up the 'motorway end' signs and 'motorway entry' signs at junctions been removed? Honestly, I don't know why it was put up in the first place, it made the road look shabby and unfinished.

Amtmann

BluntGuy wrote: »

Thank heavens for that!

It's been an infuriating three months, watching people getting penalised for going at the speed at which the road WAS DESIGNED FOR. I honestly don't know why 100 kmp/h was so rigidly enforced. I saw no cyclists or pedestrians on the motorway everytime I drove on it.

Oh, one more thing. Has the ridiculous black tape covering up the 'motorway end' signs and 'motorway entry' signs at junctions been removed? Honestly, I don't know why it was put up in the first place, it made the road look shabby and unfinished.

I agree with all your points. One thing though: I did notice a few tractors (including a slurry tanker) being drawn between Cashel and Mitchelstown a few times. I was always annoyed that a farmer would be inconsiderate enough to drive on such a road, even though technically he'd be allowed.

The black plastic is still over the 'End of Motorway', 'No L Drivers etc' signs unfortunately. Also, not all the green signs are gone yet, but most should be by this day next week.

D.L.R.

it just occurred to me, have the broken hard shoulders been repainted yet?

how do they do this, on a live motorway? obviously lane closures, but anyone got any more info on this?

Amtmann

D.L.R. wrote: »

it just occurred to me, have the broken hard shoulders been repainted yet?

how do they do this, on a live motorway? obviously lane closures, but anyone got any more info on this?

No idea if it's being done, but the Cashel Bypass which has a broken yellow line, is to keep its 100 km/h limit.

When changing signage they had a convoy of jeeps, each with mounted flashing warning signs staged at a few hundred meter intervals apart to warn of works ahead. As each sign is changed, the convoy moves on down the road to the next sign. Possibly the same would apply to line painting, which is a relatively quick process?

Amtmann

The Cashel Bypass southbound will be closed nightly this week from Wednesday to Friday 7:30pm to 3am presumably to change signs and possibly, to paint full yellow lines. See here: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/map/map.asp and zoom in on Cashel.

Amtmann

Pictures of new signage:

BluntGuy

Looks like they did a pretty good job...

I just hope they've done it everywhere.

Furet

Furet wrote: »

Pictures of new signage:

They could at least have fitted the patch in the right place! :rolleyes:

D.L.R.

BluntGuy wrote: »

Looks like they did a pretty good job...

no, they did an "it'll do" job, as per usual re signage. :rolleyes:

Amtmann

D.L.R. wrote: »

no, they did an "it'll do" job, as per usual re signage. :rolleyes:

In fairness, while I did raise an eyebrow, from a car driving by the signage looks perfect, pretty much. That's the exception rather than the rule, by the way. A majority of new blue signs are totally new. But yup, that one in particular has "it'll do" written all over it (metaphorically of course!).

BluntGuy

To be honest. I don't really pay much attention.

As long as the signage HAS been replaced and it's clear and readable, I don't mind.

The patching up of old road signs can look a bit ugly, but it usually turns out okay.

Owenw

TBH those reflective signs cost an awful lot to construct. I'm glad to see them 'making do' once the patching is done to a reasonable standard instead of squandering money better spent elsewhere.

In fairness, they do this in most countries, including the UK, and on signs much older than these.

Anyway, some eejits will no doubt hit them soon enough, then there will be a legitimate reason to replace them.

icdg

Travelled the soon to be M6 between J1-J3 last week and saw the upgrade was going nicely. Hard shoulder still broken though and still some green signage about.

However, it looks like they are doing the same thing they have done on the M1 - move the gore flag signs 100m back to make way for the new "Exit"+J No signs at the gore. This is fine on the M1, where these signs were (or at least should have been) all blue, but the N6 as an AP road these signs were green or white as appropiate to the road classification. Kind of lucks ugly when the rest of the mainline signs are blue.

As with the M1, they aren't installing cantilever (half-gantry) signs, least not at this point.

mackerski

Any white signs will have to go once motorway regulations commence. It seems odd that they wouldn't mount the blue replacements at the same time as the move

BluntGuy

I don't know why they've chosen to do it that way.

But the sign manufacturers (Rennicks) must be laughing all the way to the bank...

Probably a "cock-up" like they forgot to order them!

Amtmann

BluntGuy wrote: »

I don't know why they've chosen to do it that way.

But the sign manufacturers (Rennicks) must be laughing all the way to the bank...

Do Rennicks also install the signs? I often wondered who does that - the councils, the builders, or a specialist contractor.

BluntGuy

Furet wrote: »

Do Rennicks also install the signs? I often wondered who does that - the councils, the builders, or a specialist contractor.

Yep. Rennicks not only manufacture them, but deliver and install them as well.

Sadly 'Emergency-Phones-On-Motorways' ltd. doesn't seem to be getting that much business. Those phones are a legal requirement on Irish motorways so I don't think they should be overlooked.

BluntGuy

BluntGuy wrote: »

Sadly 'Emergency-Phones-On-Motorways' ltd. doesn't seem to be getting that much business. Those phones are a legal requirement on Irish motorways so I don't think they should be overlooked.

Will that still be the case after 24th September???

I've seen no evidence of any being installed on the N/M6.

BluntGuy

Deleted User wrote: »

Will that still be the case after 24th September???

I've seen no evidence of any being installed on the N/M6.

Well I don't know where the phones come from or who makes them, but it seems they've been overlooked.