Douglas roadworks

jamesbere

Anyone know what they're planning with these roadworks in Douglas, I see there that they've dug out some section under the overpass on the south Douglas road, are they planning to widen that section?

TheChizler

Found this circular from the council:

Cork CoCo Traffic and Transportation Section wrote:

Douglas Land Use Transportation Survey (DLUTS)

N40 Underbridge enabling works

Progress Update No.1

Wednesday 10th June 2015
Pedestrain and Cycle Improvement Works at South Douglas Road & Douglas Road underbridges
Douglas Land Use and Transport Study (DLUTS) was approved by members of Cork County Council in July 2013 and Part 8 planning was subsequently granted for various elements of the study.
It encompasses Douglas village in the centre and spreads as far north as Cork International Airport and Clarkes Hill to the east.

One of the recommendations of the study refers to the N40 underbridges on the Douglas Road and the South Douglas Road. This will involve sections of the existing embankments being removed to provide additional space for pedestrians and cyclists in the future. This is to occur on both sides of the road on the South Douglas Road and on the eastern side of the road only on the Douglas Road.

These works will be carried out over the summer to minimise their impact on commuters, schools, etc. A contractor – MMD Ltd. - has been appointed and works will commence early on Monday morning 15th-June 2015.

The first phase will involve widening the footpath at the western side (left-hand side as you travel toward the city) of the South Douglas Road Bridge.

Vehicular Traffic: Temporary Traffic Management measures have been agreed with the Gardai and relevant Local Authorities. These measures will involve closing the current city-bound lane. City-bound traffic will use the current outbound right-turn lane. Advance warning signs and all necessary barriers etc will be put in place to ensure the safe passage of motorists through the works.

Pedestrians: Importantly, for safety reasons, pedestrian traffic along this western side of the bridge will have to be prohibited. An alternative route will be put in place and well-sign-posted. We would ask that all pedestrians would co-operate in using this safe alternative route. We regret any inconvenience caused.

Works to the eastern sides (right-hand side as you travel toward the city) of the South Douglas Road Bridge and the Douglas Road Bridge will follow on in the coming weeks. Further updates will advise you of the traffic measures to be put in place to facilitate those works.

We regret any inconvenience caused – all reasonable measures are being taken to minimise the impact of this work.

run_Forrest_run

It's good to see this work happening, the existing footpath which serves two busy schools is pretty narrow and too close to the passing traffic.

Have to give credit to the council too for picking this time of year to do the work, secondary schools finished and primary schools finishing in a few weeks so probably the most quiet time of the year to carry out the work.

onasis

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

It's good to see this work happening, the existing footpath which serves two busy schools is pretty narrow and too close to the passing traffic.

Have to give credit to the council too for picking this time of year to do the work, secondary schools finished and primary schools finishing in a few weeks so probably the most quiet time of the year to carry out the work.

I actually disagree with the timing of this tbh. My daughter is doing exams (Leaving Cert and Junior Cert are still on) and the school has to text us to let us know to leave extra time to arrive because of the works. It's great that its being done but another 2 weeks would have mad much more sense. Reminds me of when the roadworks on Maryborough Hill started just as the kids returned to school last September. Wonderful planning.

hoodwinked

onasis wrote: »

I actually disagree with the timing of this tbh. My daughter is doing exams (Leaving Cert and Junior Cert are still on) and the school has to text us to let us know to leave extra time to arrive because of the works. It's great that its being done but another 2 weeks would have mad much more sense. Reminds me of when the roadworks on Maryborough Hill started just as the kids returned to school last September. Wonderful planning.

it is terrible timing but it would be worse if (when) they run late and schools all start back in august/september....

and the Maryborugh Hill junction is terrible all around, terrible planning, terrible timelines, and now you are constantly stopped at a red traffic light on the hill looking at an empty junction with nothing coming from maryborough woods/hotel.

it would also help if people stopped coming off the link at the roundabout and getting back on the link after coming under the bridge. i don't know why they do that in the first place but they are now blocking all the traffic trying to go straight on or turn left,

it would also help if traffic coming from the village itself would let the cars turning right onto the link make the turn every now and then instead of barging straight through the junction and getting stuck in traffic under the bridge because the traffic on the roundabout is backed up by the car turning right onto the link.... :mad:

run_Forrest_run

onasis wrote: »

I actually disagree with the timing of this tbh. My daughter is doing exams (Leaving Cert and Junior Cert are still on) and the school has to text us to let us know to leave extra time to arrive because of the works. It's great that its being done but another 2 weeks would have mad much more sense. Reminds me of when the roadworks on Maryborough Hill started just as the kids returned to school last September. Wonderful planning.

I suppose there is no perfect time and while it doesn't seem ideal for you and others doing the LC and JC (which must be nearly finished BTW) it does suit the general population using that route I would guess as school holidays approach.

As you mentioned, it's a pity they couldn't try and minimise disruption as the left turn lane onto the South Ring is now gone so all it takes is one car looking to turn left to hold up everything behind it.

Blackie Grey

all this disruption down to a cycle lane-what kind of muppets are in planning department?

down to 1 lane into the village if car up front is turning right it backs the traffic up .

the footpath which was already suitable has been expanded

gowls

TheChizler

The footpath is very narrow around there and there are a number of schools nearby. Makes sense to widen it.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Merged

Blackie Grey

walked it many times you could easily walk 2 a breast on it-this fascination with bicycles has no end even if the cycle tracks themselves randomly finish into walls and houses.

TheChizler

Blackie Grey wrote: »

walked it many times you could easily walk 2 a breast on it

And when a few hundred school-children are suddenly unleashed into the area?

kub

TheChizler wrote: »

And when a few hundred school-children are suddenly unleashed into the area?

Those schools you mention have been there for over 20 years now and not one incident.

I passed the South Douglas Road bridge today and for the life of me i see no reason whatsoever why the bloody barriers are still blocking the inbound lane, the work on the western side appears to be complete and if not then it is probably only minor works.
The Gael Scoil adjacent to that bridge reopens on Thursday, so as you said kids will be unleashed as will the related traffic then. Why in heavens name can't the contractor finish off that side before starting on the opposite side?

Just on the fascination which planners have for bike lanes, are they planning on changing Irish weather as well. If so, excellent roll on decent summers.

TheChizler

kub wrote: »

Those schools you mention have been there for over 20 years now and not one incident.

Your source for this? 6 vehicular collisions that involved pedestrians have occurred around those flyovers in the last 10 years, one serious. RSA.

And the 'fascination' with bike lanes (I'm not sure these works have anything to do with bike lanes specifically) is an effort to encourage cycling as an alternative to driving for both health and congestion relieving reasons. Given how one badly placed car can mess up both those junctions at rush hour you'll be glad when more people start cycling as part of their commute.

run_Forrest_run

TheChizler wrote: »

And the 'fascination' with bike lanes (I'm not sure these works have anything to do with bike lanes specifically) is an effort to encourage cycling as an alternative to driving for both health and congestion relieving reasons. Given how one badly placed car can mess up both those junctions at rush hour you'll be glad when more people start cycling as part of their commute.

I'm sorry but I don't buy this.
Are you expecting these cyclists to turn out in such large numbers that it will relieve congestion on our roads?
The majority of cyclists are of the fair weather type and once the cold rain arrives they will all be back in their cars.

Back on topic, I can't believe they are still working on that path, I really thought it would be well finished by school resumption.
Oh and the road works on the Rochestown Road are going along at a new record slow rate, perhaps they will be finished for Christmas :rolleyes:

TheChizler

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I'm sorry but I don't buy this.
Are you expecting these cyclists to turn out in such large numbers that it will relieve congestion on our roads?
The majority of cyclists are of the fair weather type and once the cold rain arrives they will all be back in their cars.

Back on topic, I can't believe they are still working on that path, I really thought it would be well finished by school resumption.
Oh and the road works on the Rochestown Road are going along at a new record slow rate, perhaps they will be finished for Christmas :rolleyes:

And on what basis are you saying that? It won't make it worse. Any small thing that can make it better in the long run is worth doing.

It has been very slow though. I saw them for the first time working on it last weekend and any time I've passed during normal working hours the site is abandoned. Very odd working hours.

kub

TheChizler wrote: »

Your source for this? 6 vehicular collisionsthat involved pedestrians have occurred around those flyovers in the last 10 years, one serious. RSA.

And the 'fascination' with bike lanes (I'm not sure these works have anything to do with bike lanes specifically) is an effort to encourage cycling as an alternative to driving for both health and congestion relieving reasons. Given how one badly placed car can mess up both those junctions at rush hour you'll be glad when more people start cycling as part of their commute.

Those 6 vehicular collisions.....those involved school kids did they?

Cycling as an alternative to driving for health and congestion RELIEVING? Firstly i can see the health benefits, pity that they are inhaling vehicle exhaust fumes, that diesel is nasty stuff.

Now your point about congestion relieving, are you joking? Have you noticed the congestion cycle lanes have caused in the city centre? Look at Western Road out bound from Washington Street, I have never noticed traffic jams there out bound, until that cycle lane was put there, so i don't think the word relieving is really relevant.

JohnMearsheimer

I walked under the bridge twice a day every day when I was in secondary school. I never thought the footpath that was there was particularly dangerous for pedestrians.

run_Forrest_run

JohnMearsheimer wrote: »

I walked under the bridge twice a day every day when I was in secondary school. I never thought the footpath that was there was particularly dangerous for pedestrians.

you see in today's PC and nanny-state society we must consider the absolute thicks among us. Those who might walk under that bridge hopping on and off footpaths or acting the total clown...you see suddenly now it's a dangerous footpath for pedestrians :rolleyes:

We can no longer consider risks for ourselves based on our past experiences/learnings...we now need the Government and countless 'Health & Safety' quangos organisations to do the thinking for us, always. :rolleyes:

lostinsuperfunk

In all fairness, how has building a footpath got anything to do with political correctness???

TheChizler

I'm going to leave it there. I've pointed out there are health benefits of cycling (you are exposed to the exact same diesel fumes in your car or walking, and the more people cycling means less vehicles around to pump out fumes) and evidence of clusters of car/pedestrian accidents around those underpasses and I can't really do much if people are going to ignore them.

Blackie Grey

They made a balls of douglas flyover over the cycle lane how can you justify this?

The delays this is causing is beyond belief,that path didnt need widening .

kub

Probably a situation where the council had to spend the money to ensure they get their full allocation next time around, that is the only reason I can think of.

Or are they going to say it is due to obsiety in this generation?

I had the pleasure of passing under the South Douglas Rd bridge earlier today, there is progress, the barriers on the Kinsale Rd side are moved back, but the bloody road is still only 2 lanes, as in no turn right as approaching the village, why? Because they have started on the opposite side.
What a bloody joke.

ROY RACE

I drove under this pile of crap today and the cars approaching Douglas were backed up as far as the chemist due to the odd car turning right up top.Total joke no need for it.That path was grand as it was.

Be mental there when Douglas comm opens up again.

ROY RACE

Whats the story with the lights at the round about people are just driving past them.joke of a situation the whole thing

Milly33

bunch of muppets they have started road works everywhere. Feck knows what they are doing to the Rochestown road, then one of the back roads in blackrock which fine needed replacing but it doesn't look like they are actually doing anything to the road... Another great big pile of money well spent

Blackie Grey

So now its actually worse than a few weeks ago,These morons who make these decisions should be made accountable for fixing something that wasnt broken.As said earlier the path did not need widening .

jamesbere

Weren't this roadworks suppose to be finished at the end of August. With the amount of work their doing I cant understand why its taking so long, each day there only seems to be a small bit done.

kub

Yes i thought it was the end of August also, i did notice that when the project started that the contractors name seemed to be all over the place, it just does not seem to be so obvious now, I wonder why

Blackie Grey

Thanks to these muppets the area is a total no go for traffic and pedestrians walking down that way well done planners.No consultation with the public about what the hell they are doing just like that manky tecsos that has taken over the whole village.

Traffic chaos at all times of the day now there.

TheChizler

Blackie Grey wrote: »

Thanks to these muppets the area is a total no go for traffic and pedestrians walking down that way well done planners.No consultation with the public about what the hell they are doing just like that manky tecsos that has taken over the whole village.

Traffic chaos at all times of the day now there.

It's hardly a no-go area, drive through there at least twice a day normally and it hasn't impacted on my journey times. They are taking their time with finishing it though.

jamesbere

TheChizler wrote: »

It's hardly a no-go area, drive through there at least twice a day normally and it hasn't impacted on my journey times. They are taking their time with finishing it though.

It's taking way too long, getting beyond a joke now.

Austria!

Passed this today, backed up about 20 cars going into douglas at 7.20 in the evening. Absolute madness. One or two cars wanting to go right to kinsale roundabout can completely screw traffic. Is this what it's going to be like permanently?

jamesbere

Austria! wrote: »

Passed this today, backed up about 20 cars going into douglas at 7.20 in the evening. Absolute madness. One or two cars wanting to go right to kinsale roundabout can completely screw traffic. Is this what it's going to be like permanently?

Its a joke at this stage, can't understand how these roadworks have taken so long. I mean it looks like going into the long weekend and they're still not finished.

mik_da_man

jamesbere wrote: »

Its a joke at this stage, can't understand how these roadworks have taken so long. I mean it looks like going into the long weekend and they're still not finished.

Passed there a few times recently and I cannot understand how it's taking so long, and what the need was in the first place.

kub

I can't help but think that this must be doing that contractors name damage at this stage.

They started on site in June, I am beginning to think that this contractor is busy on more lucrative work and is perhaps allocating resources elsewhere, either that or they are charging the council by the hour.

I had the pleasure of been stuck there this afternoon, that left straight on lane is still closed off, the only reason i could see was because there was a cherry picker parked there unused, which could have been parked up on the now extended foot path.

run_Forrest_run

I'm shocked to see they are still working on it. I remember back at the start of this post user 'hoodwinked' said they would still be at it come the return to school in September...I laughed to myself..hats off to you hoodwinked

GavRedKing

I've been caught there on two occasions, both on Sundays when it slipped my mind to go through the housing estates and avoid the traffic and have been stuck there for a good 10-15mins each time.

Blackie Grey

Made a complete bollox of this ,all for a few pc cycle lanes..those lights by roundabout are illegal people are driving straight through them.

namloc1980

Blackie Grey wrote: »

Made a complete bollox of this ,all for a few pc cycle lanes..those lights by roundabout are illegal people are driving straight through them.

What's a "pc" cycle lane?

TheChizler

I don't understand why the South Douglas road works are taking so long, the Douglas Road one took a matter of weeks, and that involved a raised path.

kub

I delighted to inform you all that I passed those never ending roadworks earlier and they have disappeared. 2 lanes are reopened.
Praise the Lord....

TheChizler

kub wrote: »

I delighted to inform you all that I passed those never ending roadworks earlier and they have disappeared. 2 lanes are reopened.
Praise the Lord....

Just passed this! ESB were all over it last night so maybe there were some electrical issues they had to sort out before they could open it.

No sign of a cycle lane, not sure where reports of them putting one in came from, AFAIK it was always a footpath widening exercise.

Blackie Grey

TheChizler wrote: »

Just passed this! ESB were all over it last night so maybe there were some electrical issues they had to sort out before they could open it.

No sign of a cycle lane, not sure where reports of them putting one in came from, AFAIK it was always a footpath widening exercise.

As far as I know it was a waste of time project in the Banana Republic.