N6 - Athlone Bypass Upgrade works

whyulittle

Any sign of anything happening out that end yet?

I don't venture over the far side too often.

KevR

Haven't seen anything apart from a couple of signs which mention that there will be works on the road.

KevR

Queue at J9 Eastbound off-ramp was down onto the mainline this morning. Can be really hit and miss - some days there is no queue and others there is a big one. Yesterday there was no queue and then there was massive one today for no apparent reason.

There are traffic counters on the road (not sure of route number) which intersects the bypass at J9; counters on both sides of the entrance to Ericsson. I wonder if this is a traffic study to determine if J9 should be upgraded??

billbond4

havent noticed any more traffic counters besides those ones you mentioned.
Think I heard that they maybe starting work in March, but we will have to wait and see.

veryangryman

Should have the counters closer Garycastle bridge side.

Saw a truck turning right off J9 - clearly with intent to use the bridge

Simple Solution if they cant afford upgrade J9

Slap some cameras on the bridge and a HGV/largeBus ban from it (an actual ban - not just a guideline). Anyone caught using it (Kilmartins is their safe alternative) is fined €100

Use the money raised to upgrade the junction.

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

Should have the counters closer Garycastle bridge side.

Saw a truck turning right off J9 - clearly with intent to use the bridge

Simple Solution if they cant afford upgrade J9

Slap some cameras on the bridge and a HGV/largeBus ban from it (an actual ban - not just a guideline). Anyone caught using it (Kilmartins is their safe alternative) is fined €100

Use the money raised to upgrade the junction.

Comdemn the bridge and close the road to all vehicles except bikes.

Problem solved!
They should have replaced it years ago, when the state had money.

billbond4

The works started this week, I think the tree cutting is part of it

whyulittle

Yeah they were cutting back the trees around Hammond Lane this evening.

Also, plans for a €2.6M Phase II of the upgrade were presented to the Athlone Area Committee of Westmeath Co Co by the Road Design Office.

Basically mini-roundabouts and traffic lights for all!

The plans for Garrycaslte include a new cycle/pedestrian bridge at €1.3M.

Ballymahon Road comes to €650,000.

Coosan €450,000.

Roscommon Road €200,000, including new signage to advise about the severity of the on/off ramps.

whyulittle

whyulittle wrote: »

Basically mini-roundabouts and traffic lights for all!

Both? Are there any on-line details for this work?

whyulittle

Nothing on Westmeath site yet.

Report done by Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers for Road Design Office. Nothing on either of these sites from what I see.

Going by the article, looks like lights for Garrycaslte, lights for Ballymahon Road with R/A at the Cova, lights at Coosan with R/A at SDS and lights at Roscommon Road.

Going by the graphics, going out the Ballymahon Road you'll meet three sets of lights, one each for the on/off ramps, and one to let people out from The Two Mile/Buccaneers Road. Same with Garrycastle, one each for ramps and one for the Moydrum Road.

veryangryman

whyulittle wrote: »

Nothing on Westmeath site yet.

Report done by Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers for Road Design Office. Nothing on either of these sites from what I see.

Going by the article, looks like lights for Garrycaslte, lights for Ballymahon Road with R/A at the Cova, lights at Coosan with R/A at SDS and lights at Roscommon Road.

Going by the graphics, going out the Ballymahon Road you'll meet three sets of lights, one each for the on/off ramps, and one to let people out from The Two Mile/Buccaneers Road. Same with Garrycastle, one each for ramps and one for the Moydrum Road.

What a load of sh1te

Traffic lights? Seriously?

Garycastle junction is not THAT slow - absolute max 5 minutes holdup from Ericsson to dangerous bridge

Either stop being cheapskates and unpgrade the junction with roundabouts etc or leave it the way it is

In my experience of Athlone (Crescent anyone?), traffic lights make a bad situation worse.

billbond4

The Westmeath Indo has some mock ups of the junctions at garry castle and town centre.
Yeah they are basically slapping traffic lights at the junctions, what a fecking waste of money, they wont do anything except slow the main flow of traffic, when will roads planners every learn????

veryangryman

billbond4 wrote: »

The Westmeath Indo has some mock ups of the junctions at garry castle and town centre.
Yeah they are basically slapping traffic lights at the junctions, what a fecking waste of money, they wont do anything except slow the main flow of traffic, when will roads planners every learn????

Anywhere we can object to this madness before it becomes officially planned?

KevR

Saw a VMS being unloaded off the back of a pick-up truck on the mainline at J10 Eastbound this morning. Could be something to do with the upgrade work..

KevR

VMS just before J10 Westbound saying 'Major road works ahead, hard shoulder closed next 2km'. Some men at work signs also. I wonder if upgrade work is starting soon..

veryangryman

Bush trimming

or for the non innuendo fans among us..

Tree cutting


Not really an upgrade so much as a chance to see what the fields nearby look like. As someone who traverses the bypass in his sleep from now on, it will be refreshing to admire the odd donkey etc in the fields to make the journey that bit more enjoyable

KevR

Saw a pick up truck going the wrong way down the J9 Eastbound exit this morning. He was crawling down the ramp; I presume (and pray!) that he was doing some tree cutting.

whyulittle

Couple of things in the Westmeath this week.

€2.6M has been allocated for the Phase II of the bypass works.

It says €4M announced as part of the overall €21M to the whole county, is what remains of the €7M for Phase I. How could they have spent €3M already!? :eek:

The first lane closures are to start next Monday at the Monksland end.

Plus the was a meeting of councillors from Athlone, Westmeath and Roscommon over the Phase II plans.

Roscommon County Council's Cllr Kilduff said that he didn't think traffic lights at Ganly's roundabout would be too successful, because during some mornings traffic is tailbacked to the Hill of Berries.

"There should be more co-operation between the two councils and we should go to visit the NRA, and they might be willing to listen to us," said Cllr Kilduff.

He was told by the consulting engineers that there would be no traffic lights at Ganly's.

and

"Traffic has been backed up four miles on the Roscommon Road during the recent snow, so whatever we do I hope there will be more movement of traffic," said Cllr Ward.

give you a taster.

Looking at Phase I to take until August, with Phase II starting in August or September and taking about four months.

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/01/26/4002889-winter-roads-maintenance-funding-cut-by-250000/

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/01/26/4002893-relief-road-lane-closures-to-begin-on-monday/

SeanW

An upgrade of the junction from simple uncontrolled diamond junctions is a very good idea - I remember a while back I was getting off the dual carriageway in Athlone ad was stuck for over 10 minutes because I needed to turn right off the slip and there was always traffic in at least one direction.

but the article says they're putting in "median crossovers" ... what's that all about?

Zubeneschamali

50 km/hr signs out at J11 heading West this morning, until after J13.

No sign of actual works, but it was early...

billbond4

The median crossover is to allow traffic going westbound to go onto the eastbound carriageway.
Basically they are going to remove the crash barrier between the eastbound and westbound lane, close off say a section of westbound road, divert that westbound traffic over the median onto the "fast lane" of the eastbound traffic, and restrict the eastbound traffic to one lane.
Simples !

Hope they dont put traffic lights on the slip roads, that will make a mickey of the bypass.
The only place that really needs traffic lights is the eastbound slip road at garrycastle,its very hard for traffic turning right there, once those traffic lights have Infra-Red sensors in them so they are only used when there is actually traffic on the slip road then it would work quiet well.
---> But as this makes total sence, I can 100% guarantee that they wont do it!

billbond4

WCC have a webpage up about the scheme, but there is no info on it at present
http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/scheme.asp?schemeId=16#current

whyulittle

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

50 km/hr signs out at J11 heading West this morning, until after J13.

No sign of actual works, but it was early...

Also at J10 and 9 eastbound. They were working in between J8 and 9 westbound at about 8:20.

KevR

50kmh speed limit signs, nobody obeying it.

whyulittle

I wanted to, purely because I was heading towards the speed camera location. I just couldn't do it though.

billbond4

you cant be prosecuted for speeding in a temporary 50kph road works zone, unless the contractors have applied to the local county council have the speed limit reduced.
Generally for athlone they would be shown on the Athlone Town council website,
But then again a Garda could do you for dangerous driving if you were going too fast...

billbond4

ok, found it on the WCC website
http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/roadstransport/roadspeedlimits/name,8614,en.html.

So you can be done for doing over 50kph !!

N6 Athlone Relief Road Special Speed Limits
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL & ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF SPECIAL SPEED LIMIT FOR ROAD WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 2004
Notice is hereby given that the following Special Speed Limits have been made on the N6 Athlone Relief Road to facilitate overlay and rehabilitation works.
A special speed limit of 50 km/h will apply, as shown on the attached map, from Easting 602937.0, Northing 742446.4 to Easting 607231.9, Northing 741088.8.
The special speed limit is proposed for the duration of the road works at the above location and will be from 11th January, 2011 up to and including 11th October, 2011.
The Council will have regard to any representations that are made in relation to this Special Speed Limit Order.

Signed: Barry Kehoe
Director of Services
Transportation

--> The guards did enforce this when they were constructing the M6 Athlone/Ballinasloe two years ago ( Mate of mine got nabbed by them)

KevR

whyulittle wrote: »

I wanted to, purely because I was heading towards the speed camera location. I just couldn't do it though.

I know, it's impossible! It would also be dangerous to drive at 50kmh if everyone else is doing 100kmh+

People will be more inclined to reduce their speed when they see work being done and especially when lanes are closed or when contra-flows are in operation.


This is my last week commuting to Athlone daily from Galway because I'm moving to Athlone at the weekend. It will be good to be walking distance from work and I won't get caught up in the traffic disruption caused by the upgrade.

billbond4

yeah when the work starts people will reduce their speed but in fairness 50kph is ridiculous, it should be 60kph, at least you would have a chance to stick to that and not have too many people riding up your arse!

Zubeneschamali

billbond4 wrote: »

from 11th January, 2011 up to and including 11th October, 2011.

Jesus H! :eek:

billbond4

billbond4 wrote: »

yeah when the work starts people will reduce their speed but in fairness 50kph is ridiculous, it should be 60kph, at least you would have a chance to stick to that and not have too many people riding up your arse!

The traffic volumes during peak times will make the speed limits completely obsolete, what is really needed are "Queue in both lanes" and "Queues ahead" signs leading up to the works.
Otherwise we'll have the ridiculous situation again, like last year where there was a queue 3-4km long in the driving (left) lane and an empty right lane, except for a few who stayed in the outside lane right up to the works and they were often blocked from rejoining the left lane.

This being Ireland, that won't be done. Look forward to a year of road rage!

Edit: I have sent in an email to WCC requesting that they look into "queue management", will keep you updated

And so it begins...

We now have a single lane westbound between the Rosconnom and Monklands junctions and reduced width eastbound.

whyulittle

Well I guess we'll find out if they are doing people for going over 50 km/h or not.

They are sitting in the spot at the temporary 100 km/h signs just before J8 eastbound, I passed at about 90 km/h.

There were two 50 km/h signs on the J10 on ramp, but there is a 100 km/h sign just after you join the carriageway. I'd imagine that would cover me if I was done by them.

whyulittle

whyulittle wrote: »

Well I guess we'll find out if they are doing people for going over 50 km/h or not.

They are sitting in the spot at the temporary 100 km/h signs just before J8 eastbound, I passed at about 90 km/h.

There were two 50 km/h signs on the J10 on ramp, but there is a 100 km/h sign just after you join the carriageway. I'd imagine that would cover me if I was done by them.

Revenue gathering! There's no reason for the whole road to have the speed restriction, only the sections being worked on. :mad:

PS they wern't there this morning @05:00

Zubeneschamali

For anyone heading west: the overtaking lane is closed from just before J12 (just across the Shannon bridge) to just after J13.

Traffic was still ignoring the 50 limit this morning, doing about 80 through the restricted section.

antoobrien

Deleted User wrote: »

Revenue gathering! There's no reason for the whole road to have the speed restriction, only the sections being worked on.

That'd take a lot of work - having to apply for and advertise changes in the speed limit. Easier to get the restriction for the road - same way as it was done on the M50 (the whole section of road being covered under a phase was covered, not just the part of the road was being worked on). They ended up lifting the restrictions gradually as sections (and junctions) were completed. Hopefully they'll do something like this.

antoobrien

antoobrien wrote: »

That'd take a lot of work - having to apply for and advertise changes in the speed limit. Easier to get the restriction for the road - same way as it was done on the M50 (the whole section of road being covered under a phase was covered, not just the part of the road was being worked on). They ended up lifting the restrictions gradually as sections (and junctions) were completed. Hopefully they'll do something like this.

Not at all, they just advertise a "rolling limit" as in it only applies to the section actually being worked on between two distinct points, i.e.
"Rolling Speed restriction for works carried out on sections of road between J8 to J13". Just placing signs along the whole road where there are no works is just an invitation for revenue gathering!

Edit: I would like to know what speed the "scameras" are set for now!

spadesaspade

anybody know what company is doing the works on this project?

whyulittle

Deleted User wrote: »

Edit: I would like to know what speed the "scameras" are set for now!

Me too!

Zubeneschamali

spadesaspade wrote: »

anybody know what company is doing the works on this project?

"The work will be carried out on behalf of the local authority by a Mayo-based Civil Engineering company, Wills Bros Ltd, while another company, CMS, will handle traffic management during the project."

(from the Westmeath)

I have just sent in a complaint about the speed limit covering the entire road, perhaps if a few more complain they might reconsider.

I would like to complain about the placing of the special speed limit along sections of the road that are not currently being affected by the upgrade works. currently the entire bypass is subjected to the 50kmh limit when it is only the section between the Coosan road (eastbound) and Monksland junctions that actually have works being carried out. the remainder of the road is completely free of works.

Please consider restricting the limits to just the sections of road being worked on and on the approach to the lane restrictions, also remove the limit from the road immediately after the works have been passed.

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/Contact%20Us/ContactUs.aspx

billbond4

Its Willis Bros are doing the work, (they are also doing the new roundabout and resurfacing out at the monksland )

You could have asked the scamera people this morning, as the van was out at the Birr exit

billbond4

The WCC project webpage now has a link with a picture of when and where the traffic management will occur
http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/database/downloads/N6%20ATH%20Relief%20Traffic%20Management.pdf

Zubeneschamali

I can see my house!

whyulittle

I was walking out of Applegreen there this evening, and you could see the traffic backing up onto the overpass.

Plus, I've asked a friend of mine who works in the Westmeath to see if he can find out what speed limit Go Safe are working off on the bypass at the minute.

veryangryman

J13 east on ramp closing next Thursday for 3 weeks :eek::eek::eek:

So the entire Monksland population have to go through Baylough, out Roscommon Rd and onto Ganlys to get on.

Since alot of the people living here are blow-ins, ill bet my bottom dollar that traffic slows to a crawl through people not knowing the way (or going through town like silly billies)

J12 east off ramp also closing. Not a big eek as its not really a main off route.

Whats interesting, i saw what looked like a third lane being dug up towards the Roscommon J12 eastbound exit this morning - is the junction being upgraded? If so then maybe all this fuss is worth it

billbond4

yeah they will be closing the slip roads as well as the sections of the roads at a time.
If you look here
http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/database/downloads/N6%20ATH%20Relief%20Traffic%20Management.pdf
You see that the main road and the slip roads are closed in stages.

For the speedlimit, there is a roadworks end sign just after the bridge going eastbound, so technically you can increase your speed back up to 100kph there.

billbond4

billbond4 wrote: »

For the speedlimit, there is a roadworks end sign just after the bridge going eastbound, so technically you can increase your speed back up to 100kph there.

But without an end of speed limit sign, they can still get you! :mad:

billbond4

but isnt a roadworks end sign the same ?
I havent travelled all the way to kilmartins so I dont know what signs are further along the road.

whyulittle

From J10 to J8, there are no signs on the mainline, until you reach J8 where there are two big 100 km/h signs (the speed van was parked directly behind these the other morning). The 50 km/h signs are only on the on ramps.