N52 - Ardee Bypass [construction to commence in 2026]

marno21

This road seems to come up regularly in the Dail so I said it deserves its own thread seeing as there are pushes for it to be included in the review of the Capital Investment Plan next year

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2016/07/28/ross-speaks-ardee-western-bypass/

medoc

marno21 wrote: »

This road seems to come up regularly in the Dail so I said it deserves its own thread seeing as there are pushes for it to be included in the review of the Capital Investment Plan next year

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2016/07/28/ross-speaks-ardee-western-bypass/

Why is it reduced single carraigeway? Does that mean no hard shoulders like the Kells bypass? Seems a pity not to do new builds on narional secondary routes to the normal single standard.

marno21

Deedsie wrote: »

Any chance they would ever bypass a village along the N52? Borrisokane has to have the worst road surface in Ireland. If they were serious about making the N52 more reliable, safe and with improved travel times it could be a good idea to bypass it.

I have zero info about average daily users etc.

The N52 through Borrisokane is to be resurfaced in 2017.

Both the village itself and the stretch of N52 north of the town need attention. The stretch north of the town is a joke

L1011

Deedsie wrote: »

I doubt there is a town/village in Ireland with a worse surface...

Has Buttevant been resurfaced yet? That was like driving over the moon.

My mother's family is from Borrisokane going back a very long time but the town has never been particularly easy to stop up and explore. Would be back there for a few afternoons cemetery hopping and pottering around the town if it was bypassed (not that minor internal tourism is ever seen as a benefit of a bypass, really)

marno21

L1011 wrote: »

Has Buttevant been resurfaced yet? That was like driving over the moon.

My mother's family is from Borrisokane going back a very long time but the town has never been particularly easy to stop up and explore. Would be back there for a few afternoons cemetery hopping and pottering around the town if it was bypassed (not that minor internal tourism is ever seen as a benefit of a bypass, really)

Buttevant resurfacing after 19 months of work is almost done.

I can't see the above proposal for upgrading the N52 as a primary route as long as the M1/M7 tolls are in place. It would encourage dodging along the route

L1011

marno21 wrote: »

I can't see the above proposal for upgrading the N52 as a primary route as long as the M1/M7 tolls are in place. It would encourage dodging along the route

Changing the number alone won't encourage traffic - most people use satnavs and journey planners at least often enough that physical upgrades will cause them to reroute regardless; but route numbers don't.

Neither the M1 or M7 toll are state-stoplossed so there is minimal* reason for the state to care about loss of toll revenue


*they get VAT and I suspect they also have a % share of the income once it breaches a certain level on both - they certainly do on the M1

marno21

L1011 wrote: »

Changing the number alone won't encourage traffic - most people use satnavs and journey planners at least often enough that physical upgrades will cause them to reroute regardless; but route numbers don't.

Neither the M1 or M7 toll are state-stoplossed so there is minimal* reason for the state to care about loss of toll revenue


*they get VAT and I suspect they also have a % share of the income once it breaches a certain level on both - they certainly do on the M1

No I mean the proposal to upgrade it along its length as a primary route

The section Kilbeggan to Dundalk especially, if people going Galway-Belfast went this way both the M4 and M1 tolls would be reduced, and of course the M50

L1011

marno21 wrote: »

No I mean the proposal to upgrade it along its length as a primary route

The section Kilbeggan to Dundalk especially, if people going Galway-Belfast went this way both the M4 and M1 tolls would be reduced, and of course the M50

I'm sure they'd be quite happy to see the M50 traffic reduced and neither the M4 or M1 are really the states problem!

spacetweek

marno21 wrote: »

The section Kilbeggan to Dundalk especially, if people going Galway-Belfast went this way both the M4 and M1 tolls would be reduced, and of course the M50

You're gonna have to explain your logic a bit better here - why would the state protect the revenue from these roads?

Carawaystick

marno21 wrote: »

The section Kilbeggan to Dundalk especially, if people going Galway-Belfast went this way both the M4 and M1 tolls would be reduced, and of course the M50

The section Ardee to Dundalk should be detrunked, and N33/M1 used instead. with the N33 upgraded and renamed N2...

MoeJay

Carawaystick wrote: »

The section Ardee to Dundalk should be detrunked, and N33/M1 used instead. with the N33 upgraded and renamed N2...

If I remember rightly, it has been officially detrunked but exists without a new R number...!

medoc

Carawaystick wrote: »

The section Ardee to Dundalk should be detrunked, and N33/M1 used instead. with the N33 upgraded and renamed N2...

I actually thought that was already done. But I looked on open street map which is practically always right and it still shows as N52.

medoc

marno21 wrote: »

I can't see the above proposal for upgrading the N52 as a primary route as long as the M1/M7 tolls are in place. It would encourage dodging along the route

It was more the idea of giving it a national primary status. It is a strategic north(east) to South(west) route connecting the main inter urban motorways and gives a cross country route avoiding the M50. If it was signed and designated as primary it might move it up the upgrade lists. It has happened in other parts of the country before. No one suggesting motorway etc just good quality single with hard shoulders (unlike the poor Kells bypass). Maybe 2+2 if needed in some areas.

Carawaystick

medoc wrote: »

I actually thought that was already done. But I looked on open street map which is practically always right and it still shows as N52.

The Roundabout on the N52/M1 junction at Dundalk south has it as the n52 still, with the M1 signage directing traffic to Mullingar to the N52.

marno21

In the Roads Act 2012, the N52 legally starts in Ardee.

I believe what used to be the N52 is now the R215, but I am open to correction on this. The N52 east of Dundalk became the R132 (old N1).

marno21

R215 confirmed by TII as per http://www.tii.ie/tii-library/Network_Management/Junction%20Layout%20Maps/M1-Junctions.pdf

marno21

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/04/21/minogue-tells-tii-taxpayer-must-see-return-money/

Ardee bypass will probably see the light of day in the next few years due to its advanced nature, the lack of other projects with planning and the size of the scheme itself.

marno21

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/bypass-has-taken-step-forward-35767693.html

TII expect bypass to be included in the Capital Plan Review.

annfield1978

Consultants invited to tender for this scheme. Scope up to Tender Action Evaluation and Award Stage

marno21

Strong talks of this being included in the Capital Plan post midterm review. Cheap, shovel ready and a political issue in the area.

Is there maps available for this? I see it's called a Western by-pass, any chance they're being smart enough to make it take N2 as well as N52 traffic around the town?

flickarius

Finally got the go ahead! http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/07/27/ardee-bypass-proceed-funded-says-minister-ross/

medoc

flickarius wrote: »

Finally got the go ahead! http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/07/27/ardee-bypass-proceed-funded-says-minister-ross/

Great news for the town and all the long distance traffic too. What is the proposed standard? Will it have hard shoulders or will it be more like the Kells bypass?

flickarius

medoc wrote: »

Great news for the town and all the long distance traffic too. What is the proposed standard? Will it have hard shoulders or will it be more like the Kells bypass?

I'm not sure, I remember seeing the details online years ago, must do a search and see if I can find them. ☺️

marno21

flickarius wrote: »

I'm not sure, I remember seeing the details online years ago, must do a search and see if I can find them. ☺️

Type 2 SC, same as the Nenagh/Kells bypasses on the N52. 3.65m lane in either direction with no hard shoulder.

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

Type 2 SC, same as the Nenagh/Kells bypasses on the N52. 3.65m lane in either direction with no hard shoulder.

Why are we still building roads with no shoulders? They are potential death traps the amount of near misses I have seen of the Kells bypass between cars broke down and pedestrians walking. It is surly worth it long term to put in a shoulder

marno21

Most cyclists in the Ardee, Kells and Nenagh areas aren't through traffic on the N52. They can cycle or walk through the town, which in the majority of cases is where their destination is anyway.

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

Most cyclists in the Ardee, Kells and Nenagh areas aren't through traffic on the N52. They can cycle or walk through the town, which in the majority of cases is where their destination is anyway.

in fairness now cyclist are not going to go through the town. I am on the N52 between Tullamore and Dundalk at least 3 times a week and the kells bypass is packed with walkers and cyclists .

marno21

MOD:

I have created a thread here for discussion of cycling in specific relation to the development of new national road schemes. Please continue discussion here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057694424

marno21

Article summing up frequently asked questions on the Ardee bypass here:

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/07/31/n52-ardee-bypass-know/

marno21

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/is-funding-deal-done-on-the-multimillion-euro-ardee-bypass-35986472.html

Confusion regarding funding status for N52 Ardee bypass.

I believe this is to be included in the midterm review of the Capital Investment Plan, which hasn't been announced yet.

2018 start if true.

marno21

The Ardee bypass has been omitted from the Capital Plan review; 2 months after Minister Ross claiming it would be:

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/10/11/ardee-nowhere-ross-unveils-capital-spending-increase/

Aontachtoir

Yikes. The bypass wasn't exactly the most expensive item on the list.

marno21

Confirmed 2018 start

http://www.dttas.ie/press-releases/2017/minister-ross-welcomes-over-€136m-funding-multiple-road-safety-schemes-and-road

Its a joke that this scheme is called a 'bypass'. Its nothing of the sort. All its doing is joining the N52 west of the town to the N2 north of it. Traffic coming up the N2 from the south will still pass through the town heading to NI & Derry.

marno21

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Its a joke that this scheme is called a 'bypass'. Its nothing of the sort. All its doing is joining the N52 west of the town to the N2 north of it. Traffic coming up the N2 from the south will still pass through the town heading to NI & Derry.

I think going forward N2 traffic will be advised to use the M1 & N33. This scheme should connect to the N2/N33 junction NE of Ardee?

marno21

marno21 wrote: »

I think going forward N2 traffic will be advised to use the M1 & N33. This scheme should connect to the N2/N33 junction NE of Ardee?

Hopefully it would Marno. Thisisardee.ie did this rough map of the route. Not sure how accurate it is. They have the route terminating a bit north of that junction.

https://i1.wp.com/www.thisisardee.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/N2-Bypass.jpg?resize=800%2C588

EDIT: heres the TII page on the scheme.

http://www.tii.ie/projects/road-schemes/#25

Middle Man

Deleted User wrote: »

Its a joke that this scheme is called a 'bypass'. Its nothing of the sort. All its doing is joining the N52 west of the town to the N2 north of it. Traffic coming up the N2 from the south will still pass through the town heading to NI & Derry.

Well, it's being described as the N52 Ardee Bypass and the road as described above will do precisely that - bypass Ardee for the N52 traffic.

Middle Man

Deleted User wrote: »

Hopefully it would Marno. Thisisardee.ie did this rough map of the route. Not sure how accurate it is. They have the route terminating a bit north of that junction.

https://i1.wp.com/www.thisisardee.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/N2-Bypass.jpg?resize=800%2C588

EDIT: heres the TII page on the scheme.

http://www.tii.ie/projects/road-schemes/#25

That's very far north though - thought this road would come out at the N2/N33 roundabout...

roadmaster

I went through Ardee and all I can say is this road needs to be built asap I was on the Kells road waiting from the service station trying to get in to Ardee. It was wall to wall trucks while trucks are trying to turn from the town southbound I honest to god think people dont appreciate how busy the N52 is! On a side note can anyone tell me why the N52 Dundalk Ardee has not being downgraded with all N52 traffic diverted N33/M1?

Middle Man

roadmaster wrote: »

I went through Ardee and all I can say is this road needs to be built asap I was on the Kells road waiting from the service station trying to get in to Ardee. It was wall to wall trucks while trucks are trying to turn from the town southbound I honest to god think people dont appreciate how busy the N52 is! On a side note can anyone tell me why the N52 Dundalk Ardee has not being downgraded with all N52 traffic diverted N33/M1?

Not only that, but it's also probably time to make the N52 a National Primary Road using the N33 designation all the way to Nenagh.

marno21

roadmaster wrote: »

I went through Ardee and all I can say is this road needs to be built asap I was on the Kells road waiting from the service station trying to get in to Ardee. It was wall to wall trucks while trucks are trying to turn from the town southbound I honest to god think people dont appreciate how busy the N52 is! On a side note can anyone tell me why the N52 Dundalk Ardee has not being downgraded with all N52 traffic diverted N33/M1?

It has. The Dundalk-Ardee road (ex. N52) is now the R215

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

It has. The Dundalk-Ardee road (ex. N52) is now the R215

Maybe on paper it has but on the ground all traffic from Ardee to Dundalk is sent via N52 all sign boards are in place including outside Dundalk north and south bound on the M1 the boards states N52 Mullingar no mention of R215 anywhere

BelfastVanMan

roadmaster wrote: »

marno21 wrote: »

It has. The Dundalk-Ardee road (ex. N52) is now the R215

Maybe on paper it has but on the ground all traffic from Ardee to Dundalk is sent via N52 all sign boards are in place including outside Dundalk north and south bound on the M1 the boards states N52 Mullingar no mention of R215 anywhere

Often wondered this myself ..

marno21

http://www.thisisardee.ie/2017/12/21/tii-kick-off-ardee-bypass-funding-e2-million-grant/

€2m for the bypass in 2018.

annfield1978

TOBIN appointed to do detailed design, procure advance work contracts and tender documents, starting next month

roadmaster

According to the article below we are looking at buckets in the ground come July. Hopefully its true

https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/home/307244/educate-together-school-moving-closer-after-plans-passed-by-council.html

marno21

roadmaster wrote: »

According to the article below we are looking at buckets in the ground come July. Hopefully its true

https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/home/307244/educate-together-school-moving-closer-after-plans-passed-by-council.html

I think that means it'll be put to tender in July and hopefully start in Q4

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

I think that means it'll be put to tender in July and hopefully start in Q4

Speaking to locals up there they are convinced its a summer start but i think id go with your assement if i was to put a bet on

marno21

roadmaster wrote: »

Speaking to locals up there they are convinced its a summer start but i think id go with your assement if i was to put a bet on

The scheme hasn't actually been tendered yet so I'd be highly surprised if it starts in the summer.

annfield1978 may be able to provide more information on the timeline.

annfield1978

Agreed Tender hasnt come out, I would say they will be a couple of months yet for the detailed design/ contract documents to be prepared and subsequently awarded. So June for the E Tenders advertisement and award in early September

The scheme has to be redesigned to current design standards against the constraint of a CPO from a many years ago, long before the concept of forgiving roadsides.