N55 - Corduff to South of Killydoon

AshfieldM10

What is happening with this road between Ballinagh and Loughduff . I hope its a major upgrade . I checked out the cavan co.co website and it has not been updated

discodaveirl

AshfieldM10 wrote: »

What is happening with this road between Ballinagh and Loughduff . I hope its a major upgrade . I checked out the cavan co.co website and it has not been updated

I drove this road this morning, I hadnt been in Cavan in a while, great to see the notorious bends south of Ballinagh are going to be by passed. Theres two seperate sections being worked on at the minute both approx 2.5k. Im not to familar with townlands but the southern section will leave the really bumpy section the scene of several hgv accidents redundant.

The work is being carried out by Foxes.

Freddypaccman

Freddypaccman wrote: »

Now I can
http://www.cavancoco.ie/n55-realignment-scheme.htm

here's the Section B doc. Couldn't find any for the current scheme
http://www.cavancoco.ie/file/news/Miscellaneous/N55%20CSK%20Natura%20Impact%20Statement%20Section%20B%20(April%202017)_compressed.pdf

What's under construction now is Corduff to South of Killydoon Section A. Which doesn't go South of Killydoon just yet. Section B will bypass Killydoon and would start hopefully not long after section a which will be October next according to Cavan Co. Co.

The section near Ballinagh is Garrymore to Potahee. The second section is Corduff to Ballytrust. The bits in between we're improved in different phases up to 2012.

The above are links to the current scheme and a doc on the future scheme

marno21

Disquiet at 2nd phase of this scheme

http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2018/05/11/4155953-plans-for-new-n55-link-to-go-on-display/

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

Disquiet at 2nd phase of this scheme

http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2018/05/11/4155953-plans-for-new-n55-link-to-go-on-display/

Unusual this TII have a good setup in dealing with landowners usually

Freddypaccman

A few pics

Drove the N55 south of Ballinagh couple of weekends ago. Got a few pics where I could pull in, mostly of the southern (Corduff/Ballytrust) section.
The only image of the northern section section closest to Ballinagh is this one of the proposed roundabout. the western half is well on to be built while traffic is down to one lane.


20180526_173151.jpg



The road is on a new possibly temporary alignment beyond the turnoff for Lacken GAA.

Down at Ballytrust where I try to get images from the opposite side the road. In the foreground works are a little less advanced than in the background but beginning to take shape. This is looking roughly north.



20180526_174328.jpg



From a location further north again from the wrong side of the road, but here we can see gravel on the road. Probably not far away from the first layers of tarmac.
20180526_174536a.jpg

20180526_174538a.jpg

20180526_174549a.jpg

Overall the project is making good progress imo and looking on target for an October finish. Pictures aren't the best.

Freddypaccman

Garrymore section bypassing the bends south of Ballinagh now open to traffic. Local road to Lacken remains closed and temporary speed limit remains. All focus will now move to the Ballytrust section which by and large is not far off tarmac.

munchkin_utd

Freddypaccman wrote: »

Garrymore section bypassing the bends south of Ballinagh now open to traffic. Local road to Lacken remains closed and temporary speed limit remains. All focus will now move to the Ballytrust section which by and large is not far off tarmac.

already up on openstreetmaps !
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/53.9101/-7.4257

fair play to whoever is updating that section south of "Bellananagh"

Freddypaccman

munchkin_utd wrote: »

already up on openstreetmaps !
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/53.9101/-7.4257

Still not up on Google maps and that's causing a bit of a problem for road users

https://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2018/09/05/4161349-ballynotrust-in-google/

Akabusi

I see Foxes are back working on the new section. They have been marking and clearing the route. Three bridges over the Erne in place of the existing one i believe.

BelfastVanMan

Akabusi wrote: »

I see Foxes are back working on the new section. They have been marking and clearing the route. Three bridges over the Erne in place of the existing one i believe.

Where's this, exactly?

Akabusi

Sorry, its the last section in the original plan, the part that bypasses Killydoon. once this is completed you will have a great run from Granard to Ballinagh.

BelfastVanMan

Akabusi wrote: »

Sorry, its the last section in the original plan, the part that bypasses Killydoon. once this is completed you will have a great run from Granard to Ballinagh.

Brilliant, thanks very much.

Pete_Cavan

Akabusi wrote: »

Sorry, its the last section in the original plan, the part that bypasses Killydoon. once this is completed you will have a great run from Granard to Ballinagh.

Will be a great road between the two towns when it is done, just need the towns themselves bypassed next. Ballinagh would be a pretty bit job and can't see it happening any time soon but a "relief road" style bypass of Granard from in front of the secondary school to the Mart should be a fairly achievable.

marno21

Tender for fencing of the latest 3.7km awarded to Fox's as above

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/165975/0/1?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders&b=ETENDERS_SIMPLE

Section B on this map:

BrianD3

Was on the N55 yesterday and had a quick look, lots of fencing up and what looks like some minor earthworks or could be vegetation clearance. I didn't see any RFTs on etenders for the construction of the new section - is this still to come or would it have been part of the tender for the previous section (constructed by Fox Contracts)

marno21

Section B gone to tender

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/203599/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=ETENDERS_SIMPLE

marno21

Funding of 100k in the 2022 allocations for a Ballinagh relief road.

Pete_Cavan

Relief road is an odd term to use, it would have to be a full N55 bypass with only a junction with the Kilnaleck road.

munchkin_utd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359074#Comment_118359074

the indicative route is on the town's updated map in the 2022+ county development plan and goes to the west of the town very close to the current development .

Maybe a relief road is the name for a bypass when it lies inside the town bounds, and a "bypass" is a road that properly avoids a town altogether ?

https://www.cavancoco.ie/file/development-plans/2022-2028%20Draft%20Plan/Appendices%20to%20CE%20Report/Appendix%204/Ballinagh%20Amendments.pdf

marno21

Retendered

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/215463/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=ETENDERS_SIMPLE

cartoncowboy

CIS Ireland reporting they expect the main contractor for this one to be appointed in Q4 '22

munchkin_utd

From another thread, its being reported that the contractor is appointed with a possible early year (Jan) start.

From the Anglo Celt, they were reporting a start with men on the ground this year but if thats delayed by a few weeks it makes litte difference unless Meeeehaul wants to land up for a FF photo opp in the last weeks of being Taoiseach , and even that only requires a shovel and a few journalists with cameras.

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2022/09/30/n55-works-to-start-this-year/

roadmaster

According to the celt the contract has being signed but no name. The contractor is currently recruiting staff via an agency

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2022/12/04/new-houses-road-improvements-and-a-welcome-to-new-arrivals/

roadmaster

I am very suprised there has being no turning of the sod before christmass on this job for the photo op . I understand it is fully approved and contractor and RE team are activley recruiting

hondar

Clare civil

roadmaster

Confirmation the contractor is appointed but no start date. I belive RPS are the client rep on this project.

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/01/08/great-progress-on-significant-projects-despite-challenges/

roadmaster

All systems go on the N55

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/01/11/killydoon-bypass-under-construction/

spacetweek

I've had a good look at the N55 and improvements in recent years including this one have really made a difference. I've worked out the remaining schemes that are needed to bring it up to a good spec:

From Cavan town to Athlone

From the roundabout at the south end of the Cavan Bypass to about 2 km further south

Bellananagh Bypass (2.5 km)

Bad bend just south of the Longford/Cavan border (1 km)

Long stretch south of Edgeworthstown as far as the junction with R393 (7 km)

Ballymahon Bypass (2 km) - but this could be awkward because of the river.

Bad bends just south of the Longford/Westmeath border (3 km)

Ballymakeeran - New bridge over the river (1 km)

Schemes considered but not needed:

Granard Bypass - The N55 through here is wide and straight and the village is tiny.

Edgeworthstown Bypass - The part that goes through the town is only about 800 metres so probably not worth doing. In any case when the new N4 Mullingar-Longford dual is built near here it could rejig things a bit as new link roads might be built that replace the N55 anyway. Route options have not been published but some go north of the town and some south so we'll have to wait.

Glassan Bypass - Too small to need bypassing.

South of Glassan to Athlone - Quite built up, but the alignment is very wide.

marno21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120122687#Comment_120122687

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057797294/n55-athlone-to-ballymahon-preferred-route-published-complete-before-2032

There’s a fairly comprehensive plan for Athlone-Ballymahon but it’s stalled since we let the dog drive the car in the Department of Transport

Pete_Cavan

The Ballinagh* bypass would be straightforward and should be the next priority imo, it wouldn't even have to extend far to the north of the town. I can't see any other major works happening between Cavan and Ballinagh after that.

Ballinagh to Granard will be in very good condition after the current section is completed. For me, a bypass of Granard would be very desirable. It would be short and simple, less than 1km from the Abbeylara road and joining the existing N55 by the mart. It would allow the town to further develop

Between Granard and Edgeworthstown needs widening but that would be a low priority for me, the road is straight so decent sightlines. I'd like to see the N55 extended south directly from the southeastern-most roundabout, instead of having to turn 90° to go to the other roundabout before turning 90° again. This would include a bridge over the rail line, thereby closing the Level Crossing, and several km of new N55 south of the railway.

I don't have any faith in the N4 Mullingar-Longford scheme happening, it doesn't justify spending €0.5bn. 10km new build to avoid Rathowen and Bunbrosna plus online upgrades would leave the road in an acceptable condition. A bypass of Newtownforbes is needed on the other side.

I also can't see much ever happening on that version of Athlone - Ballymahon. A mix of online upgrade and localised offline sections would be more realistic.

*this is the correct spelling

marno21

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/273803

Tender award notice. 19.8m cost.

munchkin_utd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120207257#Comment_120207257

seems dear for only 3.7km of road but theres 3x new bridges over the Erne so that probably explains a lot of it

Someone has convienently added this scheme to open street map for anyone wondering where it is

https://osm.org/go/etjLfTnl--

Chris_5339762

It's certainly the route that involves less disruption to houses which is good, but its interesting that it'll have three crossings of the same river in only a few kilometers. Is that a record in Ireland?

spacetweek

Bloody river is being very awkward!

munchkin_utd

I was wondering myself whats going on, so I asked google.

Fírstly, contracts were signed in early Feb 2023

https://www.cavancoco.ie/news/2023/contracts-signed-for-n55-corduff-to-south-of-killydoon-section-b.html

And in June there was a progress report from the site where the bold statement was made that the project will come in on time and budget by Dec 2024, at a projected cost of €30million

https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/06/16/killydoon-bypass-to-be-delivered-on-time-and-on-budget/

heres the council website for the scheme(s)

https://www.cavancoco.ie/services/roads-transportation/road-schemes/n55-realignment-scheme/

and just to illustrate the long term strategy of Cavan Co Co in getting "resources" to get this scheme to a shovel ready state, they have been slowly tipping away in preparation for this since at least 2012

https://merrionstreet.ie/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-minor-works-at-planning-stage1.pdf

road_high

I came down this way from Cavan to Kilkenny last month and could not get over the improvements. And they seemed to be stuck into another long stretch north of granard. It’s a pity the athlone to ballymahon stretch is still so crap. I hate those hairpin rollercoasters near athlone

road_high

The N4 to Longford is not a terrible and on the rare occasions it is quiet it is fine. But mostly it seems way overcapacity and isn’t safe as a result. I’d like to see it happen

SeanW

I was out this way a couple of days ago, construction is in full swing. At the moment there is extensive use of temporary roads, each one lane only so there are three sets of traffic lights: one just South of Killydoon, one just North of the village and another set about a mile North of that. Basically what's up on open street map right now is correct.

munchkin_utd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122006834#Comment_122006834

mentioned above:

"And in June there was a progress report from the site where the bold statement was made that the project will come in on time and budget by Dec 2024, at a projected cost of €30million"

munchkin_utd

I just travelled on this road and the section to the south of Killydoon looks to be almost finished with the road using a little of the new road but mostly the old road. There’s traffic lights in operation but it doesn’t hold you up too long

The “bypass” of Killydoon though is now open which is really the big benefit of this scheme . That was a welcome surprise!

Slutmonkey57b

Ballinagh seems to have a much bigger problem with huge trucks going through it than Granard or Edgeworthstown, so I would say a bypass is fairly necessary. The traffic practically disappears once you're southbound on the new stretch.

roc77

Any word locally on whether this will open before the end of the year, as previously communicated?

Freddypaccman

Mainline is substantially complete and is open to traffic. Just a few loose ends remaining, mostly on side roads. 1 set of lights around the most northern bridge.

munchkin_utd

Drove it yesterday. Still a limit of 60kmh on the new stretch. There was an extraordinary amount of people/ equipment on site taking care of the little things like drains/ side roads etc.

It seems the next potential improvement would indeed be a Ballinagh bypass/ relief road and there has been some initial consultancy work done on this.

Further south, Longford council were doing some paving works on the N55 at various places in the past weeks but they seem to have zero interest in sorting out any of the substandard bit between Granard and the county bounds.
There was 100k funding in 2024 for initial investigations into a Granard By-pass so thats at least something. Maybe they will discover on their investigations that not all roads lead to Dublin/ Longford town and that they will be linking their bypass onto a very substandard section that they seem to have zero knowledge of.