N26 Ballina Bypass

KrisW1001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431001#Comment_123431001

I have to say that I also don’t fully see where they’re coming from.

As you say, 2+2 is out of the question on financial grounds, so the puzzle is why 2+1 has been resurrected for this. 2+1 was dropped after trials in the 2000s because it was shown to promote some unsafe behaviours under high traffic conditions, particularly drivers racing to overtake at the end of their “2” sections.

However, it’s worth noting that not one of the retrofitted 2+1 schemes has been reverted to single carriageway - not even the worst-performing one on N20 south of Mallow. Leaving a known unsafe road design in place would leave the councils and TII open to charges of criminal negligence if there were an accident there, and there have been accidents on these roads (as everywhere), so the only logical conclusion is that despite the poor driver behaviour at lane-drops, the 2+1 layout is still safer than using an undivided single carriageway. And on roads with lower traffic, like this one, the rush to overtake is probably much less pronounced too.

Whether single or 2+1, they’d still need parallel access roads. Keeping the old alignment as local access and provide fewer, more highly-controlled junctions with the new road is the normal way this is done. As far as I’m aware, the policy for any new national road build is to prevent private entrances where possible.

It’ll be interesting to see if the old junction standards for 2+1 are amended or just re-published: they, along with the road type itself, were withdrawn from the official standards about ten years ago.

Westernview

The messaging seems very confusing. Hard to believe a limit if 80kph would apply between Mayos two main towns no matter what option is chosen. On a new alignment or upgraded route I'd rule that out.

I'm also surprised at the mention of 2+1 as it seemed to be a road type that isn't favoured anymore. I would think it has to be either type 2DC or SC (much more likely). I travel that road a lot and there is quite a lot of slow moving traffic so Id hope that will be a big factor in route selection.

KrisW1001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432421#Comment_123432421

You’ve misread the quote - not hard, considering how convoluted it is. I’ve highlighted the main point:

“All new sections of the rural road network that are to have a speed limit of over 80 km/h, which have not yet entered the planning process, should be designed as divided roads and include appropriate segregated provisions for pedestrians and cyclists.”

To put that guidance another way: ”From now on, single carriageway roads are only recommended where the speed limit on the road will be 80 km/h or lower”

This road is expected to have a 100 km/h speed limit, and it had not been submitted for planning at the time of that guidance, so under that new guidance, it was re-designed as a divided road type. The limit, on completion, will be 100 km/h.

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123432450#Comment_123432450

Thanks for the clarification. I hadnt see the wording, only the comments here.

It's going to be interesting to see what will happen here. It will have to be 100 km/h.

DumbBrunette

https://www.westernpeople.ie/news/proposal-is-revealed-for-new-bridge-over-moy-in-ballina_arid-58806.html

Councillors in Ballina pushing the long delayed eastern bypass of the town, from the Sligo road to the N26.

Westernview

It really needs to be pushed. I'd hate to see the gridlock in about 10 years time if its not built.

DumbBrunette

The June update from the council has this project going to ABP in Q2, i.e. by the end of this month. This has slipped from Q1, but I assume it means it's pretty much ready to go.

Bmomoran

Based on latest update statutory process due to start in Q4 2025

DumbBrunette

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/mayo/news/information-meeting-planned-for-ballina-bypass-project/a774640230.html

Progressing slowly.