N52 - Tullamore Bypass

medoc

This is a copy of the reply I got from Offaly Co Co. I'm not sure about showing the mans name at the bottom of the Mail so I'll leave it out for now. I can edit it in if that is ok to do, any thoughts???

The one I sent last night

Hello,

I'm not sure if this is a question for the NRA or yourselves, appologies
if I'm wrong. The new bypass still has the link to the N80 Clara road
under construction. When this section opens will it be the signed and
designated the N80 or the R443 as is shown on the signs already in
place. It would make sense to designate it as N80 with the Collins lane
section of the R443 also as N80, unless of course the N80 to Moate is to
be downgraded to an R road. Is there any news on the upgrade to the N52
Kilbeggan road and will this be 2+2 or S2, also why was the bypass not
2+2 to at least the Portlaoise road or why was provision for a future
vupgarde not allowed for. If any of these questions are relevant to
Offaly county council I would be grateful for an answer when possible. I
realise some of them are better sent to the NRA but I decided to ask you
first.

Thank you
**********

This is the reply I got back this morning.

*******;

The Clara Road (from the Clara Road roundabout to Moate) is to be
re-classified as the R420. This has to be done by Ministerial Order and
this process was, as far as I am aware, recently initiated by the NRA.
Until the the Ministerial Order becomes effective, the present status of
the Clara Road remains as the N80 and it will be signed as such.

The Tullamore/Kilbeggan Link Road is been designed as a 2+2.

The traffic (design/projected) volumes on the Tullamore By-Pass did not
warrant a 2+2, and there are no allowances/provisions to convert this
road to a 2+2 in the future. This is detailed in the EIS for the scheme.


Regards
***************
Senior Engineer
Roads

I'm almost certain that the Moate/Clara exit off the M6 was signed as R420 when I passed ages ago, indeed I remember it been commented on here by someone as a possible mistake. Is it still signed that way?

murphaph

MYOB wrote: »

The other 2+2 schemes (all one built and one under construction) in existance are book-ended by S2 or WS2; I'd say it was more a case of the Tullamore scheme being too far advanced by the time they'd decided that Dromod/Roosky was a success.

I'd go with this. The Tullamore scheme dragged on a bit. The contract details were probably decided a good while ago. Bit of a shame. The 2+2 is great and a much better use of the roadway.

nordydan

I would leave your man;s name out btw, incase they pick it up and are reluctant to give info in the future.

medoc wrote: »

I'm almost certain that the Moate/Clara exit off the M6 was signed as R420 when I passed ages ago, indeed I remember it been commented on here by someone as a possible mistake. Is it still signed that way?

It is R420 north of this junction until you get to the old N6(R446).

The other 2+2 schemes (all one built and one under construction) in existance are book-ended by S2 or WS2; I'd say it was more a case of the Tullamore scheme being too far advanced by the time they'd decided that Dromod/Roosky was a success.

That's possibly the reason.

Sponge Bob

medoc wrote: »

The N80 to clara from Tullamore is to be down graded to the R420.

Tullamore to Moate surely ???

medoc

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Tullamore to Moate surely ???

Sorry, just noticed that in my earlier post. I meant to say Moate to Tullamore.

Sponge Bob

You probably did mean Clara to Tullamore as in The only bit of the N80 built to modern standards and now sadly made redundant by a Motorway a few km to the north , what a waste seeing as the rest of the N80 is all substandard

murphaph

I thought at least a few km in wexford/Carlow were rebuilt?

Roryhy

murphaph wrote: »

I thought at least a few km in wexford/Carlow were rebuilt?

Yes from just north of bunclody, 10km im guessing, with WS2 and a climbing lane at one point.

The N80 from Carlow to Enniscorthy is a very good road in general, nearly entirely resurfaced in recent years. Carlow to Portlaoise aint too bad either except for a few dodgy bits.

biffoman

the n80 from tullamore to Clara is in better nik than the n52.this road getting reclassified isnt such good news for people who use it.The speed limit will drop .im guessing.the council spent years improving this route,taking bad bends and hills out.

medoc

biffoman wrote: »

the n80 from tullamore to Clara is in better nik than the n52.this road getting reclassified isnt such good news for people who use it.The speed limit will drop .im guessing.the council spent years improving this route,taking bad bends and hills out.

it is a decent section of road alrite and is definatly a candidate for a special 100km/h after redesignation. What bets on Offaly Council Council doing it though. Alot of the national secondary routes in Offaly are of a good standard with the exception of N62. The council did alot of work years ago eg Tullamore to Clara and especially Kilcormac to birr.

nordydan

Looks like the arty bollocks has arrived:

http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/article.asp?newsId=86&backURL=%2Fnew%2Findex.asp

N52 Tullamore Bypass- Commemorative Artistic Feature

Posted By: Serena O'Connor - 11 Dec 2009

In early Christian times, what is now County Offaly, was at the juncture of the four provinces of Connaught, Munster, Meath and Leinster. It held an important strategic position, resulting in the establishment and patronage of a significant number of monasteries.

These well endowed monasteries produced internationally famous artwork, the High Crosses, graveslabs, Book of Durrow, and ornate metal work. They show the prestige and quality of craftsmen working at these sites. Durrow Monastic Site is close to the northern end of the Bypass with Lynally Monastic site at the southern end.




N52 Tullamore Bypass Artistic Feature

The artist Maurice Harron has set out to ‘make visible the huge cultural contribution made over the centuries by these foundations.’ His four impressive figures present symbols of learning and sanctity. Approaching the figures from the north, the first holds up a chalice, the second a book, the third a crosier and the fourth shows the release of a flock of birds / souls. The features are located on esker ridges. Eskers are long understood to have been used as communication routes between ancient sites.


N52 Tullamore Bypass Artistic feature 2

road_high

I think that stuff was up there the day it opened if I recall.

TestTransmission

mfitzy wrote: »

I think that stuff was up there the day it opened if I recall.

Yup,it was

nordydan

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/servicesa-z/newspressreleases/title,4754,en.html

N52 Rathconnell Re-alignment Scheme

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council Councillor Dan McCarthy opened the N52 Rathconnell Re-Alignment scheme on Monday 15th February at 12 noon. Speaking at the official opening, Councillor McCarthy praised this scheme which has improved road safety & stated that he “looked forward to the day when the N52 between Mullingar & Clonmellon would be completed to this high standard.”

This re-alignment project, which was supported and funded by the National Roads Authority, is part of an ongoing series of improvements on the N52 Route between Tyrrellspass and Clonmellon. The Project, which is consistent with Westmeath County Council’s Policy to enhance the strategic transportation infrastructure within the county, complements other recent re-alignment projects on the route including the 2.4km Billistown Re-alignment Project, the 1.9km Macetown Re-alignment Project and the Mullingar to Belvedere Scheme completed in 2007.

The Rathconnell scheme was designed by Westmeath County Council’s Road Design Section. Construction of the road consisting of 1 kilometre of single carriageway was carried out in two phases commencing in May 2008 and completed in December 2009.

Construction of Phase 1 was carried out by the Mullingar Area Office of Westmeath County Council and Phase 2 which completed the tie-ins was carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd., Stradbally East, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway. The overall cost of the scheme was €3 Million euros which is reflected in the high quality of the finished road.

The completion of this scheme, together with previous improvement works along the route, will have considerable benefits for the region. The improved road quality has enhanced road safety and decreased journey times which will facilitate development and employment activity in the area.

Westmeath County Council will continue improving this strategic route with projects currently at an advanced design stage for the Carrick Bridge to Clonfad section south of Mullingar and for the Rathconnell to Macetown Section north of Mullingar.

Westmeath County Council also wishes to acknowledge the ongoing financial support of the National Roads Authority.

mysterious

The N52 is probably the most important Secondary road in the country.

It links Kerry, Clare, North Cork, Tipperary, Laois offaly (N62) Cork, with the North and North East of Ireland.


Some strategic towns,
Navan(N51)
Nenagh
Birr
Tullamore
Mullingar
Delvin
Kells (which will be bypassed soon) - the bypass is poor design by my standards with the tie with the M3.
Ardee
Dundalk.

Has there been any money put towards the N52 this year. The 3km section near Borrriskane is getting the road realigned there this year.

Sponge Bob

mysterious wrote: »

The N52 is probably the most important Secondary road in the country.

It links Kerry, Clare, North Cork, Tipperary, Laois offaly (N62) Cork, with the North and North East of Ireland.

Which very neatly explains why it is not the most important secondary road in the country and jolly well done Mysterious.

These are all linked by the M1 M3 and M7 or will largely be by end 2010.

Important secondary roads are where there is no realistic primary alternative and/or a lot of traffic.

They are generally on city fringes like the N81 and N71 and N84 for example ....not some mickey mouse road near Birr with 5k AADT like the N52. Even busy sections of the N52 struggle to exceed 10k AADT

I know of regional roads with 2/3 times that....spend the money there instead.

Table 7.2: National Primary Routes in North Tipperary

2003 AADT % HCV
Nenagh - Borrisokane - Birr 4700 13%

Pahhhh

mysterious

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Which very neatly explains why it is not the most important secondary road in the country and jolly well done Mysterious.

These are all linked by the M1 M3 and M7 or will largely be by end 2010.

Important secondary roads are where there is no realistic primary alternative and/or a lot of traffic.

They are generally on city fringes like the N81 and N71 and N84 for example ....not some mickey mouse road near Birr with 5k AADT like the N52. Even busy sections of the N52 struggle to exceed 10k AADT

I know of regional roads with 2/3 times that....spend the money there instead.

Table 7.2: National Primary Routes in North Tipperary

2003 AADT % HCV
Nenagh - Borrisokane - Birr 4700 13%

Pahhhh

What are you rabbiting about.

The Road is important get over it dude.

Sponge Bob

mysterious wrote: »

The Road is important get over it dude.

Only for a few farmers north of Nenagh but in the National context it isn't.

Explain as a "road expert" why a road carrying 5-10k ADT over much of its length is more important than Newlands Cross.

Short sentences please, ta.

TestTransmission

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Only for a few farmers north of Nenagh but in the National context it isn't.

Explain as a "road expert" why a road carrying 5-10k ADT over much of its length is more important than Newlands Cross.

Short sentences please, ta.

I use it! Well,over the years I quite regularly drive Limerick to Tullamore but tbh with the recent investment in the M7 it will make more sense for me to drive as far as Roscrea,then onwards to Birr + Tullamore

mysterious

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Only for a few farmers north of Nenagh but in the National context it isn't.

Explain as a "road expert" why a road carrying 5-10k ADT over much of its length is more important than Newlands Cross.

Short sentences please, ta.

(Twiddles thumbs):D

Nah i'll leave it to you too you.

I'm saying the N52 is one of irelands most important secondary roads. If you can understand that, great. I have no idea what your trying to say Sponge bob, seems like your squirming to bitch about something.

spacetweek

I'm having trouble finding any of those supposedly recently realigned N52 projects on Gmaps (Macetown, etc.). Anyone spotted them on another mapping solution?

-Corkie-

As i posted in a different thread the N52 is a very important road it goes up almost the entire length of the country. It should at least have hard shoulders etc. If you drive the entire road back to back in a day you will agree with me.

Tech3

Thread locked. This scheme has been completed. A new N52 thread can be created to discuss the rest of the route.