M11 - Arklow/Gorey Bypass

Badabing

I presume the contractors get a bonus if they come in ahead of schelude and fined if over it.

jd

The weather has been quite favourable for work on the Gorey by-pass too. Clearance and excavation is a lot easier/quicker when you are not operating in a mudbath.

Victor

chamar wrote:

I was just wondering what with so many by-passes coming in ahead of time. Do the contractors get paid extra for each day ahead of the schedule? Just wondering why we've suddenly got so good at building roads!

Because:
1. Contractors are often given early possession of the site before the official hand-over date.
2. The projects are often larger, creating economies of scale.
3. More resources can be put into the project because the price is much higher than previously.
4. Many recent projects have been in more rural areas, with less complications and easier terrain (less avoiding of villages, houses, etc.)
5. Things are being done more efficiently.

Badabing wrote:

I presume the contractors get a bonus if they come in ahead of schelude

Not usually.

and fined if over it.

Fines (other than by a court) are illegal. But Liquidated Damages may be applied.

PoolDude

At least there is a consistency in the answers

I found some potentially good news on the Roadbridge web site re Gorey:

Roadbridge commenced work in November 2005 on the N11 Gorey to Arklow Link. This scheme commences at the southern end of the Arklow By-Pass and extends for approximately 23km to the south to tie in to the existing N11 approximately 3km south of Clogh Village. The scheme by-passes to the east of Gorey Town and Clogh Village and interchanges are provided at Tinnock and Raheenagurren West on the Courtown Road. The project is expected to be completed in August 2007.

I don't know how current this is but it means 3 months ahead of schedule. Now if they could pull it in to May/June - before the summer rush & regular tailbacks - I'd be really happy.

loyatemu

even if they could just open 1 lane and take the traffic out of Gorey - i'd rather drive at 50km/h through roadworks than at 10km/h through the town.

HashSlinging

Just been told there some protest on at the shell garage in kilmacanogue?? major hold ups all along the n11.

PoolDude

loyatemu wrote:

even if they could just open 1 lane and take the traffic out of Gorey - i'd rather drive at 50km/h through roadworks than at 10km/h through the town.

Agreed - even if it were for Clogh to Ticknock.

jd

So Bertie says!!

Relief is in sight for thousands of frustrated motorists with the news that the main section of the Gorey bypass is set to open in four months' time, well ahead of schedule.
The town has gained a national reputation as being one of the country's worst traffic blackspots and it is hoped that the bypass will restore the town's status as an attractive destination for tourism and shopping.

Until now, although the work on the 23km dual carriageway was proceeding at a fast pace, November was still set for the official opening date.

However, ever the bearer of good news, especially in an election year, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was able to get the scoop on the story during a recent visit to Arklow, when he announced that the main section of the bypass would open this summer.

The Gorey Guardian understands that the main section of the road from the intersection north of Gorey to the roundabout at Clough will open in early July, while the remaining link to the Arklow bypass will open early September

jd

From the Gorey Guardian
Looks like we have a date for the first section!

Local keep fit enthusiasts will get a sneak peek at the new Gorey bypass in a 10K Fun Run which will be held on the weekend before the first section of the dual carriageway opens on July 5 next. The event is being co-ordinated by Gorey Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

mike65

First section? What the deuce does that mean? If you can't use its entire length then where does 'one' exit and where to?

Mike.

drfisher

From Irish Times "Breaking News" on 27th April 2007:

The Gorey bypass will open four months ahead of schedule and should bring an end traffic gridlock in the Co Wexford town, it was announced today.

The 23-kilometre Arklow/Gorey bypass stretches from Arklow to the south of Gorey in Co Wexford and is due to open on July 5th, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced.

Does this mean the whole bypass, or just from the fruit farm to Clogh?

Also, I notice Bertie's travelling to Wexford this afternoon. Let's hope he isn't held up for too long at the Beehive :rolleyes:

mike65

Teaser pix (near Clough)





Mike.

cargo

Wont be going anywhere near this new road. It's quite obviously haunted. Check out the large ghostly image floating in the pictures

D'Peoples Voice

mike65 wrote:

Teaser pix (near Clough)

Mike.

In some part of Ireland, can't remember where, perhaps Offaly, anyway they put little light reflectors on the concrete barrier in the middle, it's a great idea. Pity that from the photograph, it looks like they chose not to do it on this road!

murphaph

Looks good. I wonder why the M50 upgrade is getting double new Jersey barriers while probably faster rural roads like this only get single barriers.

drfisher

What happened to the 120kph limit on this road that the NRA proposed? Dosn't look like it's designed for 120kph to me.

murphaph

drfisher wrote:

What happened to the 120kph limit on this road that the NRA proposed? Dosn't look like it's designed for 120kph to me.

Why not?

drfisher

I thought there would have to be a wider median. This photo seems to showan extruded concrete barrier, like Glen of the Downs, with no run-off area. I'm not a (civil) engineer though.

loyatemu

not sure what the regulations are here but plenty of autoroutes in France with concrete barriers and 130km/h limits.

Chris_533976

Plus all the new interurban builds are like that and will probobly eventually be motorway

murphaph

drfisher wrote:

I thought there would have to be a wider median. This photo seems to showan extruded concrete barrier, like Glen of the Downs, with no run-off area. I'm not a (civil) engineer though.

Motorways in the UK (and most European ones) don't have a runoff area either. The M2 through Belfast is an exception-it is so wide (10 lanes) it has 4 hard shoulders!

larry1

Any detailed maps off the Gorey pass showing the exact junctions etc?

Stark

drfisher wrote:

I thought there would have to be a wider median. This photo seems to showan extruded concrete barrier, like Glen of the Downs, with no run-off area. I'm not a (civil) engineer though.

The M8/Fermoy bypass in Cork has a tiny concrete barrier like that separating the carriageways. Very narrow lanes too.

drfisher

larry1 wrote:

Any detailed maps off the Gorey pass showing the exact junctions etc?

This is the best I can find:

http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/SchemeMaps/file,1869,en.pdf

PoolDude

BTW - Be prepared for a new temporary road layout in both directions at Kilpedder for those of you who have not already experienced it.

We should also expect the Tinnock roundabout in Gorey to come online in the next few weeks.

vodaman

With regard to some of the queries posted, perhaps the following helps;

The Gorey bypass will be 100kph speed limit as it is designed to this speed and safe standard. It is possible to have a 120kph road with the cross section similar to that adopted for Gorey. The median is not the determining factor of speed limit - design speed and road geometry (vertical & horizontal curvature etc) is.

There are reflectors attached to the concrete median barrier.

The fact that 2 concrete barriers (previously referred to as jersey barriers) are constructed along particular sections on the M50 median does not necessarily make it safer. They are required in these sections due to level differences between both carriageways and certain structures already & being constructed within the median.

The first section of the Gorey bypass is scheduled to open on Wednesday 4th July from Clogh roundabout to Tinnock interchange (Berry farm).

jd

vodaman wrote:

With regard to some of the queries posted, perhaps the following helps;

The Gorey bypass will be 100kph speed limit as it is designed to this speed and safe standard. It is possible to have a 120kph road with the cross section similar to that adopted for Gorey.

Would the Gorey bypass be suitable for a limit of 120km/hr, taking camber etc into consideration?

PoolDude

We should celebrate the fact that this is the last Bank holiday weekend of travelling thru Gorey

I travel thru Gorey 4 times a week on the way to Dublin, so yes I am counting the Bank Holidays, weeks, days, etc till Independce Day - July 4th!!

Than for the Enniscorthy bypass, the Ferns/Camolin bypass and oh ya...... the Rathnew/Arklow bypass that has been waiting for construction for years now!

PoolDude

The road works to integrate the Yinnock roundabout have now commenced - basically this has meant single line traffic at the fruit farm outside Gorey and is causing delays.

PoolDude

This roundabout has now been integrated into the N11 - so expect a new roundabout before you get to Gorey!

Also N11 is closed near Bray over the weekend - be warned!

PoolDude

One more Friday till phase 1 of the Gorey bypass opens on July 4th

PoolDude

Also just found this - latest newsletter on Gorey Bypass:

http://www.wexford.ie/wex/Departments/Roads/Thefile,5142,en.pdf

spacetweek

Jumping the gun a bit but Gmaps has updated the N11 to include the Gorey BP!

Chris_533976

spacetweek wrote:

Jumping the gun a bit but Gmaps has updated the N11 to include the Gorey BP!

Well done Google

Pity the M8 Fermoy bypass is still shown at N8 tho

mike65

48 hours well 40 ish I'd say. Why Wednesday? should have been Sunday.

Mike.

spacetweek

Chris_533976 wrote:

Well done Google

Pity the M8 Fermoy bypass is still shown at N8 tho

Yea, and the Port Tunnel is shown as a Regional Road :eek:

Victor

spacetweek wrote:

Yea, and the Port Tunnel is shown as a Regional Road :eek:

Ah, don't worry. OSI show it as single carriageway and Michelin show it exiting at the wrong junction.

PoolDude

mike65 wrote:

48 hours well 40 ish I'd say. Why Wednesday? should have been Sunday.

Mike.

I'm driving home tonight - here's hoping they open it tonight, if not roll on tomorrow.

I am worried that once open there will be tailbacks to the roundabout at Tinnock in both directions - I've already seen it on Fridays going Southbound and imagine it may be the same northbound as vehicles go from DC to a roundabout into single lane. The Clogh end might not be as bad.

A well, September will see it extend to the Arklow bypass so if there is a problem it will be short term and hopefully less painful than going thru the town.

drfisher

Still not open at 6.15 am this morning

Also, the Courtown road was closed after an accident last night. Watch out if you're following the "Detour" signs, some of them are missing or pointing the wrong direction

PoolDude

According to SE Radio it is opened at 12pm - I'll be on it in the morning

Gorey to Courtown road is also re-opened after a fatal accident

Victor

http://www.nra.ie/News/PressReleases/htmltext,4722,en.html

Gorey Bypass Opens 4 Months Ahead of Schedule
4th July, 2007

Drivers using the scenic route serving Dublin and Wexford have received good news following the announcement by the National Roads Authority (NRA) that a 13.5 km section of the N11 Arklow to Gorey scheme is to open today (4th July 2007) - four months early.

Road users will no longer have to endure lengthy delays through Gorey, which has for many years been one of the worst traffic congestion blackspots on the national road network according to Mr. Peter Malone, NRA Chairman.

Mr. Malone said,

“The bypass will improve the quality of life for the people of Gorey as they go about their daily business by removing 10,000 vehicles a day from the town. The entire 22 km scheme is scheduled to open in September and will provide an incentive for jobs and development as well as a boost for tourism along the east coast. The beauty of this scheme is that on completion motorists will be able to enjoy travelling on 200 km of continuous motorway from south of Gorey to the border north of Dundalk.”

The Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D., said,
“This is great news for the thousands of drivers who use this route every day. The bypass will improve journey times and free up the streets of Gorey. That is welcome news for everyone."

The first phase of the scheme, which opens today, stretches from Tinnock to the north of Gorey the existing N11 south of Clogh. It and will include new junctions at Raheenagurren, Tinnock as well as a tie in junction with the existing N11 south of Clough. Access to the holiday resorts along the north Wexford coast such as Courtown, Ballymoney and Ardamine be greatly improved.

The new bypass will typically take an average of 12 minutes off journey times.

Please click here for a map of the scheme in PDF.

OTHER SCHEMES ON THE N11

Major Schemes under Construction

* N11 Enniskerry Junction Improvement Works - commenced Q4 2006 for completion Q4 2007. Total scheme estimate is €9.12 million. (2007 allocation of €3.25 million increased to €4.4 million in April).
* N11 Kilpeddar Interchange - commenced Q4 2006 for completion Q2 2008. Total scheme estimate is €34.6 million. (2007 allocation of €8.5 million, increased to €12.5 million in April).


Major Schemes in Planning

*N11 Arklow/Rathnew – land acquisition continues to be progressed and the 2007 allocation is primarily for land purchase. (2007 allocation €7 million)
* N11 Clogh to South of Enniscorthy – at Planning and Design stage.

loyatemu

“The bypass will improve the quality of life for the people of Gorey as they go about their daily business by removing 10,000 vehicles a day from the town. The entire 22 km scheme is scheduled to open in September and will provide an incentive for jobs and development as well as a boost for tourism along the east coast. The beauty of this scheme is that on completion motorists will be able to enjoy travelling on 200 km of continuous motorway from south of Gorey to the border north of Dundalk.”

you'd think the head of the NRA would know that
a) most of the N11 is not motorway, and probably isn't going to be reclassified.
b) Rathnew - Arklow is still single carriageway with no start date for upgrading yet announced.

ciarsd

How is the the other areas north (Inch) and south (Camolin/Ferns) of new Gorey bypass faring out?

Has it simply pushed the congestion above and below Gorey or is there a nice flow of traffic now? Was stuck in Gorey (yet again) last sunday morning for 40 minutes northbound :mad:

PoolDude

Was on it this morning (7'ish) - cut about 5 minutes off my journey.

Was suprised at how windy the road was and you can see it is narrower. The real benefit will be when it connects to the Arklow bypass in 2 months time. I am also looking forward to not having to go thru Gorey tomorrow - Friday.

I am still frustrated by the fact the there is no commitment on the Rathnew - Arklow section.

Victor

Oh, I though it was connected to the Arklow Bypass already.

PoolDude

No. It starts at Clogh, south of Gorey and goes to just north of Gorey, you then exit and travel on the existing N11 to Inch and on up to the Arklow bypass. It will be fully opened before September 4th. The work on the tie in and the railway overbridge needed the extra time but still apparently under budget and 2 months ahead of the November deadline.

murphaph

ciarsd wrote:

How is the the other areas north (Inch) and south (Camolin/Ferns) of new Gorey bypass faring out?

Inch and Camolin and one horse towns with no important junctions and IIRC few of any traffic lights so they should be fine. Ferns is messy enough like Gorey however and it's surely time the N11 was given priority at that T junction where you turn right towards Dublin, just before the town centre. To be honest guys, even though the Arklow-Rathnew bit isn't ready for construction just yet, I wouldn't be complaining too loudly if I lived along the N11 given it is going to be toll free and certainly complete to south of Gorey before the (also toll free) M9. The bits that remain south of Gorey are decent enough too, at least you can pass for much of the stretch north out of Eniscorthy.

Victor

The M9 will eventually have a toll.

Bards

Victor wrote:

The M9 will eventually have a toll.

The M9 is being funded by European Union Structural Funds and the Irish Exchequer. No part of the M9 are PPP and thus will be toll free:D

murphaph

Really? Where is it planned to toll it? Even more reason for N11 users to be quietly happy they'll live along the only untolled DC interurban.