Road Conditions

Das Kitty

I thought I'd start a thread where people can give updates of road conditions as they find them this week to help others out.

This morning, commute from Upper Clybaun road to Parkmore.

All roads are pretty dry, including the Rahoon road. The dual carriageway near Hogan's was the first slippery area I encountered. Traffic is cat coming up to the roundabout. Parkmore is all covered in snow and the roadways are compacted.

Overall, better than I expected.

Sponge Bob

City very well gritted along main routes, dunno about estates. County a bit of a mixed bag and the worst bit is the north county.

No snow last night where I am, hopes for a good thaw today and temps of at least +1

fairynuff

Its icy at the Martin Roundabout, by the Galway Clinic. Getting out of the housing estate was the worst bit of the journey this morning, from Oranmore to town on the dual carriageway

snubbleste

Some footpaths are not gritted.

toadfly

Drove from Loughrea to Moneenageisha Rd, only bad stretch was at Tom Hogans. Overall not too bad but I was being very cautious on the way in..not everyone was and I dont get why you would go 130km/hour on the motorway in those conditions.

Wompa1

A word of warning about the boreen by Castlegar. Don't bother trying. I did on Friday, I was sh!tting a brick the entire way, luckily I was the only one dumb enough to risk it so I didn't meet any cars coming the other way.

This morning I drove out Headford Road, Up the new road and onto Ballybrit. No real problems. The roundabout seems a little slippy and the estates are very slippy. Overall nowhere near as bad as yesterday or Friday

barryd09

Cappagh Rd to NUI via Kingston,Taylors Hill,St.Marys Rd,Newcastle Rd and back to Cappagh Rd via Westside & Distrib.Rd was perfect,traffic moving nicely.no issues.

SteveSilverhead

fairynuff wrote: »

Its icy at the Martin Roundabout, by the Galway Clinic. Getting out of the housing estate was the worst bit of the journey this morning, from Oranmore to town on the dual carriageway

No problems encountered coming in from the Oranmore side about an hour ago. Some ice approaching the Morris roundabout (Ballybrit) from the dual carriageway, but that will probably clear also.

WesternNight

The stretch coming up to the lights at the top of the coast road coming from/to Oranmore (the junction coming onto/off of the Dublin Road) was terrible last night. Hopefully it's been gritted since.

Mrs OBumble

TillyGirl wrote: »

I dont get why you would go 130km/hour on the motorway in those conditions.

Evolution in action.

galah

what's the coast road to Spideal like at the moment, have they finally gritted it?

Drove there yesterday, was like an ice-rink, very poor conditions (didnt stop people driving too close and trying to overtake though...idiots...)

_Whimsical_

JustMary wrote: »

Evolution in action.

Except that unfortunately they are just as likely to kill someone else who is being careful.

Good idea for a thread. It's supposed to be a bad week so I'm sure we'll all be needing it.

liabhroidi

Claregalway/Carnmore to town very good. Side roads deadly but keep it slow and you'll be fine.

LowOdour

the N59 from maam cross into galway city wasnt too bad, but caution definately needed between maam cross and oughterard

Fuctifino

Motorway was grand this mornin, i flew to athlone at 125kmh average.

Worst was up until Loughrea, grand after

snubbleste

Fuctifino wrote: »

Motorway was grand this mornin, i flew to athlone at 125kmh average. Worst was up until Loughrea, grand after

Speed limit on the M6 is 120 km/h.
or if you were going past loughrea on the N6 it would be 100 km/h

so you were speeding?

biko

http://www.trafficweather.info/roadWeather/rwisMap.jsp?client=208

http://www.nratraffic.ie/weather/default.asp?RegionId=0

Fuctifino

snubbleste wrote: »

Speed limit on the M6 is 120 km/h.
or if you were going past loughrea on the N6 it would be 100 km/h

so you were speeding?

120 km/h is the speed limit, however allowing for speedometer differential and the 10% leeway given by calibrated speed cameras, i consider 125 to be the speed limit.

And as i said, i was on the motorway; if i had meant the N6 i would of said the N6.

Short answer for you: Yes i was speeding while killing kittens

Madame Razz

And people wonder why there are car accidents:rolleyes:

swe_fi

I went from Oranmore 8.30 this morning and it took 70 min in to Ballybrit going the dual carriageway - painful - but roads were fine at least this morning.

If you are coming this way You are better off taking the Maldron Hotel roundabout to the motorway towards Galway and joining traffic from the Ballybrit roundabout - it will save you 20mins or so depending on when you go of course.

SteveSilverhead

swe_fi wrote: »

I went from Oranmore 8.30 this morning and it took 70 min in to Ballybrit going the dual carriageway - painful - but roads were fine at least this morning.

If you are coming this way You are better off taking the Maldron Hotel roundabout to the motorway towards Galway and joining traffic from the Ballybrit roundabout - it will save you 20mins or so depending on when you go of course.

That's painful alright - 70 minutes from Oranmore to Ballybrit is not far off walking speed.

Sympathies to anyone who *must* do that journey at that time, but for anyone that had any flexibility at all in the time they start work (or who can convince their employers to give flexibility in this weather), it would be much easier to wait a while. Offer to work from home if you can or to work into the evening a few hours one day in return.

I came in from past Kilcolgan, leaving at around 10. The Oranmore-Ballybrit bit of the journey was without delay and took I reckon 10-15 minutes.

Acoshla

It was people flying on the motorway in the snow and ice last year that frightened the life out of me more than the actual driving.

I know this is incredibly localised and not many people will be in there but if you have to go into Briarhill Business Park at any stage while it's icy/snowing be very, very careful. The first bend in there can be very slippery and the entrances/exits to each block can be too, last year when I was working there my car and others slid all over the place, especially on the ramp by the cafe. The management didn't grit or salt it last year so it was up to each business independently, which meant most of it wasn't done.

Xiney

What's the n17 like from tuam to sligo? We've heard it'd be a bad idea to try it but we don't know when we'll be back to visit the parents...

skelliser

Xiney wrote: »

What's the n17 like from tuam to sligo? We've heard it'd be a bad idea to try it but we don't know when we'll be back to visit the parents...

Id say it would be grand, just take it easy.

I drove gort to galway lastnite and it was fine.
Kept it at or below 80kph and had no trouble.

Sponge Bob

Heavy snow falling around the M6 Motorway and City this morning, Connemara and South Galway are clear. If the sun is out this will melt later because all the roads are gritted.

Das Kitty

Same commute this morning (slightly later). All inbound lanes of main roads seem wet but not slippy. The outbound lanes seem covered in some snow.

Visibility is crap.

Avoided the bottom of the Rahoon road as I could see traffic backed up way past Henchy's shop. Took the highroad and came out across from Glendara. Plenty of snow up there but I had the good car so it was grand.

Dual Carriageway at Tom Hogans still not treated!

Traffic was lighter today.

claw14

Western Motors over to Galway clinic (Sorry don't know rounabout neams) is fine. Well gritted and just wet now. Galway Clinic to Oranmore is not great. Inside lane is not too bad but no one was driving on the outside lane. Packed snow and full of fallen leaves.

Wompa1

Knew it was a bad idea but saw loads of other cars doing it. Went up the hill across from Monaghans on the Tuam Road to get up to Ballybrit Industrial Estate. My idea that all those cars would have made it less slippy was true...for my lane.

An African lad in a Hyundai came sliding down the other side and nearly hit me. I reversed down the hill and then gave it welly to get back up. Avoid that hill, though most of you probably would have anyway :P

alibabba

It took me two hours to drive what is noramlly a 40 min commute this morning, but at least i got there safe and sound.

Whats the motorway like Galway to Loughrea cos I aint going home the other way this evening thats for sure?

snubbleste

alibabba wrote: »

Whats the motorway like Galway to Loughrea cos I aint going home the other way this evening thats for sure?

I heard it's safe to do above the maximum permitted speed limit on the motorway - earlier in this thread.

alibabba

snubbleste wrote: »

I heard it's safe to do above the maximum permitted speed limit on the motorway - earlier in this thread.

Ah yes, that was esterday, different kettle of fish today.

geem

Does anyyone know what the old Dublin road, Loughrea to Galway city is like?

whitelightrider

Coming from Monivea this morning wasnt great. Cussaun Cross was dodgy and the Athenry to Tuam road was pretty bad at 8am.

alibabba

geem wrote: »

Does anyyone know what the old Dublin road, Loughrea to Galway city is like?

Thats the route i came in this morning, it took me 2 hours to get into work.
Its not gritted / salted , a bed of snow that will get compacted down and freeze.

Its the motorway for me until there is a thaw.

toadfly

alibabba wrote: »

Whats the motorway like Galway to Loughrea cos I aint going home the other way this evening thats for sure?

Brutal

Didn't seem to be treated. We left at 7.10 got to work on Moneenageisha Rd at 8.15. Didnt go over 60kmh. Was still a thick layer of snow on it and more was coming down the whole way in. Loughrea - Athenry stetch the worst but its all crap.

alibabba

Thanks for the motorway update. God I hope it improves today.
Mixed reports coming in on the radio & newspapers this morning. Some sources are saying the council didnt expect the snow so didnt treat the roads, others are saying they treated main roads. Then the newspaper says the councils cant do any overtime so cant treat all the roads !

Hey dont we have a credit card loaded with 85 billion !
:-)

schween

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Heavy snow falling around the M6 Motorway and City this morning, Connemara and South Galway are clear. If the sun is out this will melt later because all the roads are gritted.

South Galway is not clear! It took me 2 hours to get from Kilcolgan (where it snowed a lot since 6am) to the city centre.

The N18 was horrendous, completely untreated and jammed from Clarinbridge to the Galway Clinic and beyond. That's about an 18km tailback, crawling along. Horrific.

The dual carriageway when I finally got there at 8.45ish was blocked in both lanes from the clinic to Oranmore.

I hope it clears up.

lampsie

Yesterday: Coming from Roscam, was attempting to head towards Dunnes and on up to Liosban...tried to stick to dual carraigeways, turned back after moving all of 100m in 30 mins (went around the M6 roundabout and came back) and worked from home. Pants.

Today: Coming from Roscam, up through Doughiska and then left at the T junction up the old borreen road (our side of road ok, other side looked like no-one had attempted it so met no traffic). Then on up and right to go down by the school etc. Journey took maybe 10mins longer than normal, so overall the gritters seem to be coping.

Fuctifino

snubbleste wrote: »

I heard it's safe to do above the maximum permitted speed limit on the motorway - earlier in this thread.

It was yesterday, not today... f*** that

Drove 30mph the whole way to athlone today.. Lethal

swe_fi

SteveSilverhead wrote: »

That's painful alright - 70 minutes from Oranmore to Ballybrit is not far off walking speed.

Sympathies to anyone who *must* do that journey at that time, but for anyone that had any flexibility at all in the time they start work (or who can convince their employers to give flexibility in this weather), it would be much easier to wait a while. Offer to work from home if you can or to work into the evening a few hours one day in return.

I came in from past Kilcolgan, leaving at around 10. The Oranmore-Ballybrit bit of the journey was without delay and took I reckon 10-15 minutes.

Today I left Oranmore at 9.25 this morning and was in Ballybrit 9.45 - 50 mins less than yesterday (I got in at the same time leaving an hour later literally). I went Maldron Hotel > Motorway > Doughiska Roundabout > Ballybrit. At that time though I'd say it would be just as quick the dual carriageway route as there was no jam on the road from Clinic to Dunnes.

But I swear had I NOT taken the Motorway, the dual carriageway would have been jammed :-)

geem

alibabba wrote: »

Thats the route i came in this morning, it took me 2 hours to get into work.
Its not gritted / salted , a bed of snow that will get compacted down and freeze.

Its the motorway for me until there is a thaw.

Thanks Alibabba have tickets for show in town tonight looks like I won't be going.

Das Kitty

Stopped snowing and thawing quickly in Parkmore now.

996tt

snubbleste wrote: »

I heard it's safe to do above the maximum permitted speed limit on the motorway - earlier in this thread.

well its a new day and with a new day brings new weather so it would probably be best to get a new opinion.

LowOdour

Came through ougterard - > maam cross left onto the R336. It is in awful condition. hopefully sun will melt bits of it. Some villages (on the R336) havent seen a grain of grit since the cold weather started.

KevR

Avoid(!) the M6 between Galway and Athlone. Lane 1 was just about driveable this morning; Lane 2 was not. Not sure what it's like further East.

Athlone Bypass is particularly bad. Traffic was totally jammed on the BP. Two trucks stuck on J12 (Roscommon junction) Eastbound on-ramp. Compacted snow has re-frozen so it's really dangerous.
I saw a plough at J13 (Monksland in Athlone) trying to clear the Eastbound on/off ramps. Hopefully they will have a go at the mainline as well.

They had the non-express barriers lifted at the toll plaza when I passed through two and a half hours ago. I almost skidded into the bollards for the express lane - the green arrow was on for the express lane so I drove slowly in*, tagged beeped but barrier didn't lift so I had to try and exit the express lane. Started skidding/sliding all over the place, just avoided demolishing the bollards.

*I didn't realise the barriers for the non-express lanes were up at this stage.

I'll be taking a train home to Galway after work this evening or staying up in Atlone. It's too bad to drive.

Madame Razz

Drove to Limerick this morning; it was lethal up until the turn off for Shannon. Shannon to Limerick was fine, as was Limerick itself; just drive back now, much better than this morning; but you need to take a little care from Ardrahan onwards. The roads will be shocking tomorrow if it freezes again:(

SteveSilverhead

swe_fi wrote: »

Today I left Oranmore at 9.25 this morning and was in Ballybrit 9.45 - 50 mins less than yesterday (I got in at the same time leaving an hour later literally). I went Maldron Hotel > Motorway > Doughiska Roundabout > Ballybrit. At that time though I'd say it would be just as quick the dual carriageway route as there was no jam on the road from Clinic to Dunnes.

But I swear had I NOT taken the Motorway, the dual carriageway would have been jammed :-)

Good to know, and good to hear the journey worked out better than yesterday!

SteveSilverhead

Question ... has anyone taken the train in from Ardrahan/Craughwell? Was it much delayed? Irish Rail is reporting delays of up to 45 minutes, but I presume this is just the Dublin train.

Thanks...

KevR

As I understood it, the delays of up to 45 mins were Dublin-Galway (the delays being around Athlone because of very heavy snowfall).

Didn't hear/read anything about delays on the Limerick-Galway line but it might be worth giving them a call to confirm before you set out..

Acoshla

Drove Ballinasloe to Galway today and back, motorway perfect. Giant lorry overtook me on a part where the second lane was half covered in snow, scared the life out of me to have this thing looming so close to my tiny car.

Took a friend an hour to get to Athlone from Bsloe this morning, and another friend drove Tralee to Galway and said it was grand until Ardrahan. Apparently the old Athenry road in Clarinbridge is lethal, just a sheet of ice.

Oh and I went into Briaihill Business Park today for a look, as I suspected not gritted at all, most of it gets no sun and had thick thick ice on every road.

yer man!

Roads in Maree, Oranmore are just awful, compacted ice everywhere and the sun doesn't get to it. Overturned jeep there this morning and i crashed into the ditch to avoid it, ABS is only so good.