N6 - Athlone, Garrycastle Bridge works to finally start in three months

http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/56731/garrycastle-bridge-works-to-finally-start-in-three-months
Construction on the realignment of Garrycastle Bridge is expected to start early next year after the council received formal approval for the project this week.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) gave the go-ahead on Tuesday for the €6.1 million project, which is being referred to as “the missing link” in the town’s traffic management plan.
The contract for the work has been awarded to Jons Civil Engineering Ltd, the company behind the construction of the Joe Dolan Bridge in Mullingar. Work is to start within three months, and the project is expected to take 12 months to complete.
The R916 Garrycastle Bridge scheme is expected to cost in the region of €6.15m, including an estimated construction cost of €3m, and €3.15m for land acquisition, consultant fees, site investigation, and archaeological assessment. The NRA allocated €700,000 to the project in March this year, while the council has also allocated money over the past number of years.
Director of services Hugh O’Reilly said the plans for the construction of a new bridge at Garrycastle have been in the pipeline for almost 10 years.

Better late than never!

Chris_5339762

For the uninformed.... is this a third bridge for Athlone? (aside from the N6 and regular town bridge)

No, it's a bridge over a disused railway line on the east side of town, between the Bypass and the IDA site (not crossing the river).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+athlone&ll=53.422704,-7.901565&spn=0.001036,0.00284&client=ubuntu&channel=fs&oe=utf-8&hnear=Athlone,+County+Westmeath,+Ireland&t=m&z=19

whyulittle

Large industrial estate and Ericsson in one direction, three secondary schools and a large residential area another direction, and AIT and IDA Business Park in the other.

flazio

Are they going to leave the area underneath passable for a train in case IE take the unlikely decision to reopen?

whyulittle

Yes, it was delayed as the previous design didn't leave enough room underneath.

antoobrien

Deleted User wrote: »

No, it's a bridge over a disused railway line on the east side of town, between the Bypass and the IDA site (not crossing the river).

Does that line go to Mullingar?

roadmaster

It does via moate, theres talks about converting it in to a walkway between athlone and mullingar i heard on the radio a few weeks back

JupiterKid

roadmaster wrote: »

It does via moate, theres talks about converting it in to a walkway between athlone and mullingar i heard on the radio a few weeks back

I travelled on that line on an old steam train with my Dad, Grandfather and sister back around 1994.

veryangryman

roadmaster wrote: »

It does via moate, theres talks about converting it in to a walkway between athlone and mullingar i heard on the radio a few weeks back

A walkway? Honest to God what's the point. Who walks these crazy distances. What planet.....

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

A walkway? Honest to God what's the point. Who walks these crazy distances. What planet.....

Make more sense to turn it into a railway line as an alternative route from Galway to Dublin, relieve the pressure on Heuston station.

roadmaster

From what i remember of the report on the radio i think it was midlands 103 its part of an idea to link the three midland towns for tourists to walk/cycle

veryangryman

dolanbaker wrote: »

Make more sense to turn it into a railway line as an alternative route from Galway to Dublin, relieve the pressure on Heuston station.

Most chats on this topic mention the fact that connolly is already pretty over subscribed with dart commuter and so forth. That said I would actually consider the train if it brought me anywhere useful a la Connolly. As it is bus gets you to centre quicker and cheaper than train plus luas

veryangryman

roadmaster wrote: »

From what i remember of the report on the radio i think it was midlands 103 its part of an idea to link the three midland towns for tourists to walk/cycle

midlands radio 3 with their usual Neolithic thinking. Walk 40 miles?! In fairness....

Ren2k7

As someone who crosses this disaster of a bridge every day it's completion can't come soon enough. Any specs or images available?

roadmaster

If this job is to start as quick as they say has tenders gone out all ready?

flazio

veryangryman wrote: »

A walkway? Honest to God what's the point. Who walks these crazy distances. What planet.....

veryangryman wrote: »

midlands radio 3 with their usual Neolithic thinking. Walk 40 miles?! In fairness....

Take a look around the 'Outdoor pursuits' forum, there are plenty of long trails all around the country. The entire tow path of both the Grand and Royal Canal are marked trailways.

veryangryman

flazio wrote: »

Take a look around the 'Outdoor pursuits' forum, there are plenty of long trails all around the country. The entire tow path of both the Grand and Royal Canal are marked trailways.

Doing something repeatedly does not make it a good idea. Once again i must ask; who walks these distances? Very few i would say

funnyname

veryangryman wrote: »

Doing something repeatedly does not make it a good idea. Once again i must ask; who walks these distances? Very few i would say

Would it not benefit everyone at either end and all the people in between and those who would travel to walk in a safe scenic environment.

veryangryman

funnyname wrote: »

Would it not benefit everyone at either end and all the people in between and those who would travel to walk in a safe scenic environment.

Safe? Badly lit if at all rural trail. Scenic? Weeds etc everywhere. You market it well but this is the midlands of Ireland here. Perhaps spend the money on cycle lanes in athlone and mullingar. Much more practical

L1011

veryangryman wrote: »

Doing something repeatedly does not make it a good idea. Once again i must ask; who walks these distances? Very few i would say

(German mainly) tourists.

The few long distance trails that are cycleable are generally very popular all summer.

Well, whatever it becomes, they'll be a new bridge over it!

Zubeneschamali

flazio wrote: »

Are they going to leave the area underneath passable for a train in case IE take the unlikely decision to reopen?

If I recall correctly, they are leaving room for a double track underneath, even though it has been single track since 1928!

Planning docs here.

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If I recall correctly, they are leaving room for a double track underneath, even though it has been single track since 1928!

Planning docs here.

That appears to be a default position when designing railway infrastructure, all single rail lines have provision for a second track should the need arise.

Edit: A quick glance at the plans and it appears that the works are much more extensive than just the bridge.
Anyone using the garrycastle exit to get to the schools is going to have about half a mile added to their journey.

veryangryman

It's alive! Construction ongoing woop

flazio

The realignment in those plans look a bit excessive, if you look here you can draw a straight line from where the road turns at Fenagh House to the junction with Moydrum road. Surely a realignment that way would be far more cost effective?

roadmaster

veryangryman wrote: »

It's alive! Construction ongoing woop

who got the contact out of curiousness ?

whyulittle

roadmaster wrote: »

who got the contact out of curiousness ?

Jons - http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/56731

flazio

flazio wrote: »

The realignment in those plans look a bit excessive, if you look here you can draw a straight line from where the road turns at Fenagh House to the junction with Moydrum road. Surely a realignment that way would be far more cost effective?

It appears to be a deliberate attempt to prevent traffic from using the Cartonroy road as a short cut to the schools, otherwise it makes no sense to do it that way.

veryangryman

Anyone know a finish date for this? I imagine it will take a year or so

munchkin_utd

Deleted User wrote: »

It appears to be a deliberate attempt to prevent traffic from using the Cartonroy road as a short cut to the schools, otherwise it makes no sense to do it that way.

it makes massive sense
a ) to upgrade the road with regards to the R916 being the primary route, rather than for local preferences to get to an estate or school or whatever
b ) to upgrade the route that links the north midlands to the Athlone IT, if not the rest of Ireland, from the N6 bypass to the facility over some local preferences that see a route to the shops or schools as more pressing.

From seeing it first hand last weekend its way worse than any google streetview would give the impression of. A very narrow bridge that 2 cars can barely pass on, followed by a blind 90 degree bend. It'd be interesting to see how a truck would attempt to negotiate the bend without causing utter traffic chaos.
Its actually the sort of stuff that the councils should have had in the drawer before the boom so that it could be carried out should "funds become available".
It doesnt look as if it will be finished anytime soon, but maybe someone with inside knowledge could enlighten us as to when this will actually be finished.

veryangryman

munchkin_utd wrote: »

it makes massive sense
a ) to upgrade the road with regards to the R916 being the primary route, rather than for local preferences to get to an estate or school or whatever
b ) to upgrade the route that links the north midlands to the Athlone IT, if not the rest of Ireland, from the N6 bypass to the facility over some local preferences that see a route to the shops or schools as more pressing.

From seeing it first hand last weekend its way worse than any google streetview would give the impression of. A very narrow bridge that 2 cars can barely pass on, followed by a blind 90 degree bend. It'd be interesting to see how a truck would attempt to negotiate the bend without causing utter traffic chaos.
Its actually the sort of stuff that the councils should have had in the drawer before the boom so that it could be carried out should "funds become available".
It doesnt look as if it will be finished anytime soon, but maybe someone with inside knowledge could enlighten us as to when this will actually be finished.

The schools contain ~2000 students+staff, not to mention a few hundred residents going towards Garycastle/IDA/Ericsson/bypass. Surely the point of prioritisation is that the majority get what they need.

The college is not really a bottleneck by comparison. They have Kilmartins exit should they require. In fact this is the route signed on the N6->N62->R446->college

By the way, is the old bridge to be destroyed?

Zubeneschamali

veryangryman wrote: »

By the way, is the old bridge to be destroyed?

From my reading of the plans, no. It just won't be a through route for motor traffic anymore.

Zubeneschamali

veryangryman wrote: »

Anyone know a finish date for this? I imagine it will take a year or so

From September's council meeting:

2. Cllr. A. Shaw:
What is the status of the construction project at Garrycastle Bridge in terms of projected completion date, traffic management at the site and general stage of completion as against the time plan set out at the start?

Reply: The projected completion date for the R916 Garrycastle Bridge Realignment Scheme is 13th February 2014 as per the contract for the works and the contractor is currently on target to meet this date. The contractor is currently concentrating his resources on the completion of the bridge and the associated approach structures and this element of the works is approximately 80% complete at this time. It is expected that construction of the road on both sides of the bridge will commence within the coming 2 months. Traffic Management Plans are being formulated by the contractor for those parts of the works which interface with the public roads. A number of utilities require diversion where the new road joins into the existing roads but it is expected that there will not be any significant impact on current traffic flows while the works progress as most of the work will be carried out off the public road. The contractor must liaise with An Garda Síochána, the Roads Authority and transport companies to give advance notice of such works. When Traffic Management Plans for those parts of the works which impact on the public road are received and approved, these will be brought to the attention of the Members and the public.

veryangryman

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

From September's council meeting:

2. Cllr. A. Shaw:
What is the status of the construction project at Garrycastle Bridge in terms of projected completion date, traffic management at the site and general stage of completion as against the time plan set out at the start?

Reply: The projected completion date for the R916 Garrycastle Bridge Realignment Scheme is 13th February 2014 as per the contract for the works and the contractor is currently on target to meet this date. The contractor is currently concentrating his resources on the completion of the bridge and the associated approach structures and this element of the works is approximately 80% complete at this time. It is expected that construction of the road on both sides of the bridge will commence within the coming 2 months. Traffic Management Plans are being formulated by the contractor for those parts of the works which interface with the public roads. A number of utilities require diversion where the new road joins into the existing roads but it is expected that there will not be any significant impact on current traffic flows while the works progress as most of the work will be carried out off the public road. The contractor must liaise with An Garda Síochána, the Roads Authority and transport companies to give advance notice of such works. When Traffic Management Plans for those parts of the works which impact on the public road are received and approved, these will be brought to the attention of the Members and the public.

Looks good for that date based on progress. A glance from the road shows the new bridge taking shape. Nice work

whyulittle

Noticed the outline of a roundabout today, not far off the road between Cyrpus Gardens and the College gate.

veryangryman

Looking good for an ontime completion, largely taken shape at this stage.

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

Looking good for an ontime completion, largely taken shape at this stage.

A bit late according to latest reports. New traffic management plan for now upto 21 February. I guess an extra week or so is acceptable when youve been waiting for this like monkeys for feeding time in the zoo

whyulittle

They've started to tie in the AIT to Cypress Gardens road into the new layout.

whyulittle

whyulittle wrote: »

They've started to tie in the AIT to Cypress Gardens road into the new layout.

One lane is running (the short way round)on the new roundabout this afternoon , alternate ways.

whyulittle

R916 Garrycastle Bridge Realignment Scheme - Traffic Management Notice issued Friday 21st February 2014

Due to the recent period of poor weather we wish to advise that the alternate single lane traffic management (controlled by traffic lights) currently in operation on the R916 Wash House Road between the Cypress Gardens entrance and the side entrance to Athlone Institute of Technology will continue until Wednesday 26th February 2014 to facilitate the connection of the new roundabout to the existing road at this location as part of the above roadworks scheme.

Westmeath Local Authorities regret any inconvenience caused.

http://www.athlone.ie/council-notices/r916-garrycastle-bridge-realignment-scheme-traffic-management-notice-issued-friday-21st-february-2014#.Uwd3xU4Yllc.facebook

veryangryman

Still no sign of completion almost a month after the scheduled completion date and the site itself is a mess right now.

Hope the contractor is not getting extra for this

Is traffic using it yet?

veryangryman

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is traffic using it yet?

I don't think so. Pile of cars parked on the side of it

veryangryman

Hi XXXXXX,

Thanks for your e-mail earlier today in relation to the notice on the Council website. This notice was part of a series of notices which were put up a few weeks ago while the works on the southern section of this road scheme were ongoing. These works impacted traffic flows on the public road close to the side entrance to Athlone IT and Cypress Gardens and the notices were designed to give advance notice of the traffic restrictions to users of that section of road. As you may be aware, two-way traffic flow was restored on 16 Feb ’14 as promised and the web notice should then have been removed. This has now been actioned.

In relation to the remainder of the scheme, works to the bridge are complete and the main road alignment (approx. 700 metres) is practically complete. You may be aware that works are currently concentrated on the section adjacent to the Spar shop and FÁS (Garrycastle). The new roundabout at this location and the roads on either side are now at an advanced stage. I expect to have these completed within the next 5 – 6 weeks. Traffic will be diverted onto the new road and away from the old bridge during this period in order to complete the works to the roundabout.
Regards
Alan
Alan Kelly S.E.E.
Project Resident Engineer, R916 Garrycastle Bridge Realignment Scheme

whyulittle

Date out to May now according to local paper today.

veryangryman

R916 GARRYCASTLE BRIDGE REALIGNMENT SCHEME – TRAFFIC DELAYS EXPECTED

We wish to advise that alternate single lane traffic management (controlled by traffic lights) will be in operation on the R916 between the Athlone Relief Road (Junction 9, Garrycastle) and the old Garrycastle Bridge during the following times for next week:

• From 4pm on Sunday 6th April ’14 to 7am on Monday 7th April ’14, and
• From 10am on Monday 7th April ’14 through to 5pm on Friday 11th April ’14.


Westmeath Local Authorities regret any inconvenience caused.

whyulittle

Bridge set for an April 19th opening now, says local paper.

veryangryman

whyulittle wrote: »

Bridge set for an April 19th opening now, says local paper.

Ambitious at best. Unless they mean the diversions to the new bridge (which would temporarily close the old one) start that day.

Id say this will run into May for total completion

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

Ambitious at best. Unless they mean the diversions to the new bridge (which would temporarily close the old one) start that day.

Id say this will run into May for total completion

I expect that the traffic will be switched to the new bridge with single line working by the shop while road is built. The old bridge will never reopen, it'll be pedestrian only.

whyulittle

According to online reports, the bridge has opened.