N52 minor upgrade work

cargo

I know it's a small scheme but we need to take anything now that the major schemes are finishing

They seem to be removing one or two bad bends on the N52 on the Ardee side of the junction with the R162. See map here

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=53.797437,+-6.713676&num=1&sll=53.858804,-6.540765&sspn=0.026327,0.06403&ie=UTF8&ll=53.799586,-6.713805&spn=0.012166,0.043945&z=15&iwloc=A

There's currently a diversion in place that takes you around the bends and they have started planning the road and there's bulldozers in place and some fencing in place which looks like it'll straighten the road at this spot. Hopefully it's not just to take the ditch back for improved visibility.

Does anyone know anything else about this? Can't find anything on the Meath CoCo website.

Also there's a few other very minor works along this route between Ardee and Kells/Mullingar at the minute. i.e. road-planning and relaying a junction close to Kells and also cutting the tip off a blind crest in another location which I can't pin-point at hte minute. I know it's near a GAA pitch on the crest of another hill but i can't remember where it is as there's so many crests on this road .

Any more details?

munchkin_utd

Fine Gael
Press Statement by Shane McEntee TD
Road Safety

March 15th 2010

McEntee welcomes NRA funding for N52

Fine Gael Meath East TD Shane McEntee today welcomed news that 2 dangerous stretches of the N52 are to receive funding for road safety improvements.

The N52 at Stephenstown and Carnacop is a notorious accident blackspot. The dangerous S-bend is to be improved and additional road markings and signage are to be installed. Also the village of Carlanstown is to be tackled, as both approach roads enter the village on 90 degree bends.

“I am delighted to see both of these notorious blackspots finally being improved. Local residents have long campaigned for action and this work is long overdue.

http://meathfinegael.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/mcentee-welcomes-nra-funding-for-n52/

munchkin_utd

Not sure where this belongs, but theres more upgrade work planned for the N52 South of Mullingar

N52 Carrick Bridge to Clonfad Road Improvement Scheme

Scheme Location
This scheme will improve that section of the N52 national secondary road between the termination point of the N52 Mullingar to Belvedere Scheme, at Carrick Bridge, and the northern-most point of N52 link road, constructed as part of the Kinnegad to Kilbeggan Scheme, at Dalystown.

Heres the project website which also details a recently published CPO schedule :
Carrick Bridge to Clonfad Road Project Page

Has there actually been land purchased for the scheme yet though?


Another minor scheme this time north of Mullingar is planned and has also had the CPO schedule published last summer:
N52 Rathconnell to Macetown Project Page

L1011

that Carrick to Clonfad scheme would mean the N52 was actually up to a decent standard for an entire stretch between national primaries. I'd like to see the relatively short bit between the end of the Kilbeggan/M6 improvements and the Tullamore BP done too, it would make 40km of so of modern standard, mostly new build road.

munchkin_utd

big question....
Will they integrate a junction into the road giving priority to an ungraded county road (not even a Regional!!!) over the cross country National road, like you see on the current stretch here ?
EDIT: the small branch road at 10 o clock in the picture is the continuation of the N52


Its up there with the M7/ M8 split for being an unexpected branching of the main flow of traffic over the localised road markings/ junction setup.

They really should have flashing signs in places like that announcing
"F*cked up unintutive junction layout ahead" or some other really attention grabing notice!!!

L1011

The N52 also loses priority to an L road somewhere in Meath/Louth too, from memory...

however, I'd expect it'll be sorted out by this.

Drawings here: http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/download_cat.asp?cat=8&dlCat=N52CB

cargo

cargo wrote: »

They seem to be removing one or two bad bends on the N52 on the Ardee side of the junction with the R162. See map here

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=53.797437,+-6.713676&num=1&sll=53.858804,-6.540765&sspn=0.026327,0.06403&ie=UTF8&ll=53.799586,-6.713805&spn=0.012166,0.043945&z=15&iwloc=A

MYOB wrote: »

The N52 also loses priority to an L road somewhere in Meath/Louth too, from memory...

however, I'd expect it'll be sorted out by this.

Drawings here: http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/download_cat.asp?cat=8&dlCat=N52CB

MYOB, I think that spot you are referring to is the junction I use as a reference point in my first post. You have to stop to cross the R162 (road from Nobber to Navan) at a staggered X-road there.

L1011

cargo wrote: »

MYOB, I think that spot you are referring to is the junction I use as a reference point in my first post. You have to stop to cross the R162 (road from Nobber to Navan) at a staggered X-road there.

I know of that one, but I seem to remember there being a case where you lose priority to an L road at a direct crossroads.

That one at the R162 isn't being touched in the current improvement works either, as far as I'm aware... :mad:

knotknowbody

MYOB wrote: »

I know of that one, but I seem to remember there being a case where you lose priority to an L road at a direct crossroads.

That one at the R162 isn't being touched in the current improvement works either, as far as I'm aware... :mad:

I know the N52 from Dundalk to Clonmellon well, and the R162 junction is the only point where it gives priority to a lower graded road, it is correct to do so in this case as the R162 carries a much higher volume of traffic, also the road geometry of both roads at the junction and on the approaches to it makes it safer for traffic on the N52 to stop.

Carawaystick

Northbound traffic has to stop here on the N52

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.436914,-7.383006&spn=0.001863,0.005493&t=h&z=18

cargo

Carawaystick wrote: »

Northbound traffic has to stop here on the N52

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.436914,-7.383006&spn=0.001863,0.005493&t=h&z=18

Thats the spot munchkin_utd first mentioned above.

Carawaystick

cargo wrote: »

Thats the spot munchkin_utd first mentioned above.

oops!

There is some plan to build between the Belvedere and Tyrrelspass sections of WS2 which would remove this.

I wonder if it would be worth re-routing the N52 onto the n62 from Birr to Roscrea and onto the M7, with a relief route around Roscrea to the Motorway junction, rather than improving the Bossisokane section, which is desperate altogether.

marmurr1916

Carawaystick wrote: »

oops!

There is some plan to build between the Belvedere and Tyrrelspass sections of WS2 which would remove this.

I wonder if it would be worth re-routing the N52 onto the n62 from Birr to Roscrea and onto the M7, with a relief route around Roscrea to the Motorway junction, rather than improving the Bossisokane section, which is desperate altogether.

I'd rather see the N80 from Portlaoise to Tullamore upgraded, with a relief route around Portlaoise connected to the M7, followed eventually by an upgrade of the N52 from Mullingar to Ardee, including an Ardee bypass.

That would give a decent quality route from the M7/M8 all the way to the M1, using a portion of the N80, N52 and the N33, enabling traffic from most regions to avoid using the M50 altogether. For example, traffic from Cork, Limerick and Galway could use this route to get to Belfast.

Maybe that route could be renumbered as the N33 eventually.

L1011

Carawaystick wrote: »

I wonder if it would be worth re-routing the N52 onto the n62 from Birr to Roscrea and onto the M7, with a relief route around Roscrea to the Motorway junction, rather than improving the Bossisokane section, which is desperate altogether.

Seeing as they bypassed Nenagh on the N52 a decade ago, I think the time has passed to get it rerouted from Birr south.

We definitely need to look at providing a single upgraded route rather than patchwork upgrading multiple ones. The detrunking of the N80 from Tullamore to Moate as has been suggested as having already happened and basically awaiting Cowen to go to be done on-the-ground (it passes through Clara, see) is a start on this

munchkin_utd

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Not sure where this belongs, but theres more upgrade work planned for the N52 South of Mullingar

N52 Carrick Bridge to Clonfad Road Improvement Scheme


Heres the project website which also details a recently published CPO schedule :
Carrick Bridge to Clonfad Road Project Page

as mentioned elsewhere here's the tender for the Project.
http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN195759

and a map!
http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/database/downloads/Confirmation%20Advertisement%20Large%20Ad.%20N52%20Carrick%20Bridge%20with%20Drawing.pdf

and heres it on a google maps, well it's the road that is being replaced anyhow
http://maps.google.de/maps?saddr=N52&daddr=N52&hl=en&ll=53.402982,-7.307968&spn=0.250532,1.088333&sll=53.463296,-7.361097&sspn=0.015508,0.05167&geocode=FaonLwMdzkKP_w%3BFSnNLwMdGbaP_w&mra=me&mrsp=1,0&sz=15&z=11

The DOOR - Dublin Outer Orbital Road may be dead in the water, but for me improvements like this are the next best thing in order to avoid the nutjob asylum that is the M50/ M7 when going from Cavan to Cork!!

(still - rather than spend millions on new roads it MIGHT be cheaper to have the guards actually enforce the road traffic laws on our main motorways like tail gating and lane discipline that their obsession with tax and insurance seems to prevent them from doing)

Wild Bill

Regarding priority...in Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N52_road_(Ireland)#Lack_of_priority

Lack of priority
At the N52 junction with the R162 in County Meath the N52 stops and joins the R162 regional road and then leaves it again 100m further south. At this junction the regional road is the main road and is of a higher quality than the National route which crosses it.
At Dalystown in County Westmeath the N52 has a STOP sign at a junction with a local road which takes precedence over this National route.

Question: Even if the R162 is busier surely the N-route should take priority, even if by route number? Should the section of the N52 passing through the R162 not be designated "N52" with the R162 joining/leaving?

munchkin_utd

the priority at the R162 junction is probably a stupid legacy issue from when county councils were in charge of all roads in their area so could decide on the ground which road gets priority at a junction.
There thats the "main road" from a large swathe of Meath hinterland to the county town so obviously is infinitely more important that a road linking together the (non Meath) county towns of Mullingar/ Tullamore and Dundalk!

Anyhow, as flagged in the Tenderwatch thread, a 3.5km section of road is to get a resurfacing
http://maps.google.de/maps?saddr=Ballywilliam,+Co.+Offaly,+Ireland&daddr=N52&hl=en&ll=53.194927,-7.685795&spn=0.064379,0.189857&sll=53.194002,-7.665539&sspn=0.063866,0.189857&geocode=FWuTKwMdUH-K_ykRk0VRKqtdSDEiBMO6p8cAJg%3BFbjdKwMd5BaL_w&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=13&z=13

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG251655

From the google streetview it doesnt really seem to be a road that is in tatters.
If anything its one of the best secondary roads in the country, wide and pothole-less.
Or has the harsh winter really ripped up this particular section of road that suddenly its a priority to spend millions resurfacing it?

Wild Bill

Ah! I was confused for a bit...the overlay section is nowhere near the R162!

I note that we can't access the documents without stating a reason! Would "so I can post about it on boards.ie" be a good enough reason, I wonder?

marmurr1916

Wild Bill wrote: »

Ah! I was confused for a bit...the overlay section is nowhere near the R162!

I note that we can't access the documents without stating a reason! Would "so I can post about it on boards.ie" be a good enough reason, I wonder?

How about 'because I'm a taxpayer and some of it's my money'?

cargo

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Not sure where this belongs, but theres more upgrade work planned for the N52 South of Mullingar
.....
.....
....


Another minor scheme this time north of Mullingar is planned and has also had the CPO schedule published last summer:
N52 Rathconnell to Macetown Project Page

This one seems to be underway.

munchkin_utd

and "N52 Carrick Bridge to Clonfad Design Build Contract" has been awarded to Jons Civil Engineering Co.Ltd for the pricely sum of €7,332,252.88
(to the cent!)

Award notice from 18th November :
http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV288495

No doubt they will be starting ASAP

cargo

cargo wrote: »

This one seems to be underway.

Passes through here on Monday and they have a stop-go on the N52 right at the biggest of the 3 side roads along here. (nearest to Mullingar) as they are doing earthworks on both sides of the main road and plant are using a single crossing point. Looked v v wet and mucky soil conditions to be working in for earthworks.

At the opposite end of the works (the small Statoil? Service Station) they are fencing off the new boundary in the fields.

munchkin_utd

cargo wrote: »

This one seems to be underway.

tender was awarded 2 months ago, notice posted 6 weeks ago.
http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT275275

Now that I'm at it heres 2 more minor schemes which were recently awarded tenders (making 4 schemes on the go currently?):

Tender award from 18/10/2011
N52 Ballywilliam/ Derydolney Road Resurfacing Scheme
"The contract involves the resurfacing/ overlay of a section of the N52 national secondary route northeast of the town of Kilcormac."

Tender award from 09/08/2011
Contract Award Notice N52 Mullaghey
"The project consists of the construction of 1.0km of road scheme on the N52 at Mullaghey........."

L1011

munchkin_utd wrote: »

(making 4 schemes on the go currently?):

One of the longest, and worst condition over its length, N roads in the country; 4 isn't that odd.

There were likely many more minor schemes in the budget-burning of last November/December - spotted three around Drumconrath alone.

Wild Bill

Great to see they are upgrading the N52. Badly needed, a very busy and dangerous road.

Also noticed they seemed to be doing a lot of earthworks on the already bypassed section past the Bloomfield Hotel - anyone know what that's about?

roadmaster

Wild Bill wrote: »

Great to see they are upgrading the N52. Badly needed, a very busy and dangerous road.

Also noticed they seemed to be doing a lot of earthworks on the already bypassed section past the Bloomfield Hotel - anyone know what that's about?

cant be 100 percent sue but it could be to do do with the water scheme works in the area

medoc

There is a small widening job underway on the N52 at Durrow crossroad outside Tullamore. The crossroad is on a bend and they seem to be widening the road to add right/left turn lanes.

cargo

cargo wrote: »

This one seems to be underway.

cargo wrote: »

Passes through here on Monday and they have a stop-go on the N52 right at the biggest of the 3 side roads along here. (nearest to Mullingar) as they are doing earthworks on both sides of the main road and plant are using a single crossing point. Looked v v wet and mucky soil conditions to be working in for earthworks.

At the opposite end of the works (the small Statoil? Service Station) they are fencing off the new boundary in the fields.

Passed through here yesterday. They are laying the final wearing course along the length of this upgrade.

Still plenty of small jobs under way (roadside fencing / barrier sections etc) and the join of the 2 sections they broke this into (either side of where it crossed the existing N52) still has to be tackled. To me it looks as if they are at different heights so a bit of digging to be done and not a simple overnight tie-in but I could be wrong. It's hard to get a look when you're only travelling through once and in the middle of live works.

There's a stop and go at the SS end as the new roadworks have came in ontop of one of the old lanes. Still very near to an opening though I imagine.

Anyone else passing this more regularly or from the area know of dates?

I'd love to know what they are doing with the crossing of the N52 if anyone has any drawings?

mickeyboymel

This is due for completion before the end of October 2012 according to the tender documents http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/scheme.asp?schemeId=15

cargo

mickeyboymel wrote: »

This is due for completion before the end of October 2011 according to the tender documents http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/scheme.asp?schemeId=15

I dont think they are going to make that now in fairness.

mickeyboymel

cargo wrote: »

I dont think they are going to make that now in fairness.

My mistake....corrected!

Drawings showing tie ins etc : http://www.wccprojectoffice.ie/new/database/downloads/Part%208%20Sheet%203%20%20Alignment.pdf

cargo

mickeyboymel wrote: »

My mistake....corrected!

No problem I just thought it was going to be the start of a rant about how in Ireland everything is late and over budget blaa blaa blaa etc

I'd say they may make the end of Oct deadline.

mickeyboymel

Yes and seeing as the moved plant onto site within days of the tender being awarded, I'd imagine they are well on schedule, and presumably well underbudget if the amount of stone which they dug out of the hill at the Mullingar end, and crushed and relaid as the foundation of the entire stretch,is anything to go by.

cargo

mickeyboymel wrote: »

Yes and seeing as the moved plant onto site within days of the tender being awarded, I'd imagine they are well on schedule, and presumably well underbudget if the amount of stone which they dug out of the hill at the Mullingar end, and crushed and relaid as the foundation of the entire stretch,is anything to go by.

It looks like there's a bit of work to do around the crossing point so. It seems there should be a large area of works around there with the ghost island etc but I can only remember it been quite tight at that point in the works.

Do you pass that way regularly? Are all the works around the new junction area done and I just couldn't see them passing?

Sponge Bob

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/delvin%20adopted%20village%20plan.pdf

Significant environmental benefit will accrue in the village once the programmed upgrading of the N52 between Mullingar and the Meath county boundary including the bypass of Delvin and Clonmellon is completed. These improvements are programmed to be completed by mid-2004.

tomflynn

It has been noticeable the various bits of N52 that have been progressing over the last few years whether completed, under construction, or presently in planning. I thought I'd pull it all together (listed from North to South):

M1/(N33) to Tullamore
Ardee Bypass (4.5km; land CPO'd, commencing 2013 or 2014?? speculative guess)
Stephenstown to Fringestown Realignment (3km; in planning)
Mullaghey Improvement Works (1km; under construction??)
Kells Bypass (3.8km, Jun 2010)

From Delvin to Tullamore
Rockview to Billistown Re-alignment (2.4km; 2006/07)
Cloghan to Billistown (c. 9.5km in planning, 2012)
Macetown realignment (to Cloghan) (2.2km; Oct 2007)
Rathconnell to Macetown (1.5km; under construction)
Rathconnell realignment (1km; Dec 2009)
Mullingar bypass (4.9km; Aug 2006)
Mullingar Belvedere (4.2km; May 2007)
Clonfad (Dalystown) to Carrick Bridge (5.6km; under construction)
M6-N52 Link to Dalystown (4.5km; Dec 2006)
Tullamore Bypass (14km; Oct 2009)

South of Tullamore
N52 Congar to Ballyluskey (2.2km; under construction)
Nenagh Bypass N52 link road (4km; Dec 2001)

N52 from Tullamore towards NE, as indicated by systematic investment, is deemed important and will provide improved links between the radial motorway network (M1, N3/M3, M4 and M6).
However south of Tullamore, whether: via N52 to Nenagh, via N62 to Roscrea, or via the more strategically important) N80 to Port Laoise and onwards to SE, there is little to nothing happening (or ever planned) despite links to M7/(M8), M9 and N/M11.

L1011

The small-ish scheme north of Mullingar now has the running lanes moved on to the new section. Probably a week or two left max.

cargo

MYOB wrote: »

The small-ish scheme north of Mullingar now has the running lanes moved on to the new section. Probably a week or two left max.

Yeah I passed arround that time as well and the new section was open but still works going on. I imagine it's probably fully open now.


Also the other larger section further on towards Tullamore was really flying and had a lot of tar down.

flazio

Not seen it discussed elsewhere but it looks like they've nearly finished a nice realignment between Borrisokane and Ardcroney near Nenagh.

spacetweek

flazio wrote: »

Not seen it discussed elsewhere but it looks like they've nearly finished a nice realignment between Borrisokane and Ardcroney near Nenagh.

It's in the list up there N52 Congar to Ballyluskey

Aquarius34

Nenagh to Borriskane is now a high standard road.

A bypass of Birr, Borriskane and the upgrade of the Birr to Borriskane section will mean the N52 will be up to standard from Nenagh the whole way to Mullingar.

lucernarian

Aquarius34 wrote: »

Nenagh to Borriskane is now a high standard road.

A bypass of Birr, Borriskane and the upgrade of the Birr to Borriskane section will mean the N52 will be up to standard from Nenagh the whole way to Mullingar.

Just a shame that some of the most strategically important stretches (in particular Delvin to Ardee) will remain in a poor state. It and parts of the N80 could do with a lot of work given how important they are and the amount of existing traffic they also carry.

Sponge Bob

Apart from a few short stretches of secondary near cities (EG N59 Galway and N71 Cork) these are the two most important secondary rroads in Ireland and should be serially and annually upgraded. On safety grounds alone they are a high priority.

I'd have part 8s ready to go and mark them down as the primary beneficiaries of any sweepings of the money pot at each and every year end until they are at an acceptable standard.

Bypassing Ardee and Delvin and Stradbally and Bunclody and Mountmellick should be high on the list of projects to start as offline upgrades too but the N52 north of Mullingar is marginally more important than the N80 in the big scheme of things while the N52 west of Tullamore is behind the N80 in the same scheme of things.

munchkin_utd

actually if you think about it logically, the N52 (north of Tullamore)/ N80 (north of Portlaoise ) combination is defacto fulfilling the function of the planned DOOR (Dublin Outer Orbital Route) providing that strategic link between the Major Inter Urban Motorways heading(+coming from) the North, West and South and relieving the M50.
It really should be upgraded to National Primary Route status, possibly as a continuation of the existing N33 at Ardee.
The N33 already links the M1 and N2, so why not "extend" it to Portlaoise to also link together the M3/M4/M6/M7(/M8)

If you did this then it'd be very clear that this core section is the strategically important part and the rest (N52 south of Tullamore/ N80 south of Portlaoise) is a true national secondary road.

spacetweek

Interesting thread - I really wasn't aware of the extent on the minor schemes taking place on some secondaries in Ireland. The proposed N52 improvements above, when complete, would cover at least half the route. If we keep chipping away at it two to three k's at a time, we'll have it all improved by the end of the decade.

Aquarius34

I'm not to familiar with the road from Birr to Borriskane, I hear it is not a great road. I've looked on google maps there are some bad bends near Borriskane that really need sorting out. North Tipperary council and the NRA have seem to have forgotten this section of road because most the N52 is up to a high standard on other parts now between Birr and south of Delvin. Offally county council did a good job on improving the N52 through it's county over the years. I'd like attention brought to this segment now. H.G.V traffic has risen sharply on the N52 in recent years and from a strategic point of view it makes sense to have a high standard N52 in place to connect the south west with the North East asap.

A Birr Bypass is also a big part of the jigsaw puzzle that's missing. The N62 has to go through Birr also. It would be good to see an advancement with this.

road_high

Aquarius34 wrote: »

I'm not to familiar with the road from Birr to Borriskane, I hear it is not a great road. I've looked on google maps there are some bad bends near Borriskane that really need sorting out. North Tipperary council and the NRA have seem to have forgotten this section of road because most the N52 is up to a high standard on other parts now between Birr and south of Delvin. Offally county council did a good job on improving the N52 through it's county over the years. I'd like attention brought to this segment now. H.G.V traffic has risen sharply on the N52 in recent years and from a strategic point of view it makes sense to have a high standard N52 in place to connect the south west with the North East asap.

A Birr Bypass is also a big part of the jigsaw puzzle that's missing. The N62 has to go through Birr also. It would be good to see an advancement with this.

It would indeed I agree but I can think of at least a dozen towns well ahead of Birr for a bypass. Cannot see it being any sort of priority in the medium term.
Adare, Enniscorthy, New Ross, Tuam, Claregalway, Slane, Macroom, NewCastlewest, Carrick on Suir, Tipp town etc etc all badly in need of a good bypass
I know finances are so tight but I really think the pay off from funding schemes like these would/will be immeasurable. Instead of spending on maintaining (high) welfare/public service wages. Infrastructure vrings prosperity and thus we'd all have more to spend in the bigger picture of things....

Aquarius34

road_high wrote: »

It would indeed I agree but I can think of at least a dozen towns well ahead of Birr for a bypass. Cannot see it being any sort of priority in the medium term.
Adare, Enniscorthy, New Ross, Tuam, Claregalway, Slane, Macroom, NewCastlewest, Carrick on Suir, Tipp town etc etc all badly in need of a good bypass
I know finances are so tight but I really think the pay off from funding schemes like these would/will be immeasurable. Instead of spending on maintaining (high) welfare/public service wages. Infrastructure vrings prosperity and thus we'd all have more to spend in the bigger picture of things....

I agree but the N52 is every bit as important as the roads and places you've mentioned. It needs funding just like any road does. The Borrisakane to Birr segment is the last stretch to be upgraded between Nenagh and Mullingar.

road_high

Aquarius34 wrote: »

I agree but the N52 is every bit as important as the roads and places you've mentioned. It needs funding just like any road does. The Borrisakane to Birr segment is the last stretch to be upgraded between Nenagh and Mullingar.

It's an important road definitely but more so than the N11, N25, N18, N17 N24 OR N21? They are all National primary routes with more traffic and of strategically more importance. N52 is a N secondary route. If we were awash with cash then definitely I'd say Birr get a bypass but the govt have to prioritise with what cash they have I'm afraid.

cargo

Aquarius34 wrote: »

I agree but the N52 is every bit as important as the roads and places you've mentioned. It needs funding just like any road does. The Borrisakane to Birr segment is the last stretch to be upgraded between Nenagh and Mullingar.

The section between Mullingar and Ardee is dreadful in many places and carries a large amount of HGV traffic. Impossible to pass for very large sections of it. (even just a car). A lot of Northern traffic uses it as well heading over to Dundalk and up the M1.

Sponge Bob

cargo wrote: »

The section between Mullingar and Ardee is dreadful in many places and carries a large amount of HGV traffic.

That section is just as important as any national primary route. a partial N52 Birr bypass to the N62 would route to Roscrea/M7 the Birr - Borrisokane N52 is diabolic and the N62 is a lot better.

I'd even consider detrunking Birr - Borrisokane altogether if Birr were bypassed to the east. Roscrea is a rather narrow road north-south of course and could do with a bypass too.