New Ongar to Barnhill Road

Pale Red

https://www.fingal.ie/planning/strategic-infrastructure/ongar-barnhill

is this part of a bigger plan to link N3 to N4? I remember there was talk of a road going through St Catherine's Park which could link to this one.

Former Former Former

Fingal have been talking about a road between the M3 and M4 for a long time, but this is not part of it (officially, at least).

This is an access road for the thousands of houses and apartments that are due to be built at Barnhill in the coming years. It will also provide an improved bridge over the rail line for when the Clonsilla level crossing closes as part of the Dart upgrade.

rameire

Barnhill road update

Progress Updates

Update 27 June 2025

• Project completion expected in Q3 2025.
• Barnwell Roundabout upgrade nearing completion with improvements to footpaths and cycleways.
• Bituminous surfacing is progressing.
• Landscaping and boundary work is progressing.
• R149 junction works progressing with expected completion during Q3 2025.

rameire

Just a note in relation to a new footpath that will be installed this Autumn.

It is from the Roundabout at the end of the R149 beside Ongar and will tie in to the footpath beside the Gallops.

rameire

Barnhill road update

update 29 August 2025

• Project completion expected in Q4 2025.
• R149 junction works progressing with ESB and Watermain infrastructure and connections to be completed.
• Road pavement surfacing nearing completion.
• Landscaping works ongoing.

https://www.fingal.ie/planning-and-strategic-infrastructure/ongar-barnhill

rameire

looks like completion of the project has slipped timing wise.

Noticed though that they at least installed a bridge over the Railway that can accommodate an updated in 15 years when they upgrade the road all the way from the N3 to a dual carriage way in both directions. The spacing all the way from the N3 has future proofing in it.

Polar101

Now it's just a big road that leads nowhere, but I guess that will change.

daymobrew

I'm disappointed that Barberstown Lane North, closed because of the new road, doesn't have pedestrian facilities to access the new road. If I was cycling towards Leixlip, it would be nice to use that quite road instead of the busier Barberstown Lane South route that leads to the new road. (I did make this request/suggestion in my submission about the closure of the road)

Bulmers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123766421#Comment_123766421

what will be the route from the n3 that will turn into dual carriageway? Is that planned yet?

Pale Red

From N3 (coming from M50) take exit 4, left at top of off ramp, straight through 5 or 6 roundabouts and you will have reached this project. Some of that route has open ground on road side of boundary walls so that could be upgraded with extra lanes. However, the traffic volumes would not merit a dual carriage way - not unless there is a connection to the N4 without going through Lucan.

rameire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123774322#Comment_123774322

As Pale Red has mentioned.

They actually future proofed the road alignment so that they could upgrade to dual in both directions with light controlled junctions.

There is nothing planned as of yet, but give it time. It may be planned for when they open the Rail line to Navan and Metro North is running.

Bulmers

ok so the road coming from n3 and goes through Littlepace / Beechfield / Ongar. I did wonder why they have a set of overhead traffic lights at roundabout near the school.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123774322#Comment_123774322

If ever completed it would be a dual carriageway.

Larbre34

Or rather, for clarity

Pale Red

It would suit me but I don't think that it will be built for a few of reasons. Firstly, opposition to land take by landowners and locals to it cutting through St Catherine's Park. Secondly, turning the Littlepace/Ongar area into a rat run and it's already congested at peak times (queue to and from J4 on N3). Thirdly, Cost Benefit - you would need to upgrade J4 and the N3 between M50 and M3 as well. Fourthly, would reduce income from M50 tolls.

Polar101

Yeah, N3 junction 4 wouldn't work in its current setup with any kind of traffic increase.

I also don't see a dual carriageway built through St Catherine's Park being a big hit with anyone local. There was a lot of pushback when it was first mentioned.

ultraviolence

tunnels are a thing…. and st catherines park will still exist as it currently is.

at the end of the day its not right that the m50 is the only high capacity road that goes across the liffey. another liffey crossing is needed and is way overdue. the rural-ish roads through lucan are not suitable at all.

Larbre34

Honestly, it'll never be built.

The proposal was never to be a tunnel, but a banked cutting. We'll probably have 10 children's hospitals and five Metros before a shovel is wielded in anger at the back of Leixlip.

ultraviolence

i personally am not fussed how its built.. tunnel/bridge/banked cutting - im only interested in seeing this vital piece of infrastructure delivered - i only mentioned the tunnel as it can go through the park underground having no visual impact and therefore the st catherines park objectors have no reason at all to oppose it.

i think it would be a shame if this never gets built..dublin continues to grow and is in need of a new liffey crossing… we're a wealthy country and can afford to build stuff like this. all we need is politicians with a vision and some courage.

Pale Red

An upgrade of J4 on N3 would have to happen first. I think that that will not happen for years. Then upgrading the road through Ongar. Finally the last leg from Barnswell across the Liffey. Given that this small stretch took two years to build, I'll be safely in the ground or using my flying car before this N3 to N4 dual carriageway gets built.

rameire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123664930#Comment_123664930

The Construction of this new path has commenced

There are cones now on site and clearing works have begun.

BlazingSaddler

Is there any update on the opening date of the Ongar to Barnhill road?

Pale Red

It looks close to finished. Traffic lights installed at both ends (Barn hill end not switched on). Tar laid and road markings in place. From my untrained eye, just the street lights (poles in place) and final join up at Barnhill and find a politician to cut to ribbon.

Polar101

They were still building one of those footpaths leading nowhere at the R149 end, might still take a while before it's all finished. Although I guess the road can be opened even if some works are still ongoing.

daymobrew

There is a consultation about a temp closure of the road in front of The Gallops for resurfacing from Monday 1st December to Thursday 4th December 2025, from 9.30 am to 4pm.

Pale Red

Hopefully new road will be open by then to avoid detour for some people. The fact they haven't put the new road in as a shorter detour makes me think that it will open after the proposed work at the Gallops. If that is the case it would be better, in my opinion, to wait for the shorter detour to open. The right turn coming from Clonee at J4 is quite busy without adding in any detoured traffic.

lordleitrim

How are the footpath works progressing on that stretch between Clonee and Ongar? ..haven't been in that area in ages!

rameire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123969865#Comment_123969865

The Fingal works have progressed last i looked.

TThey Have the kerbing done from the Ongar roundabout to the Gallops and also have some cement poured on the footpath, they have to complete the footpath and the psycho track.

rameire

Took a spin past in the last hour.

Footpath is completely poured.

Cycletrack is not started.

rameire

Also took a spin past the south Side of the new road.

The main road and side road are paved to finish standard and all lines are marked.

All poles and lighting are in place.

This could be open in the next week.

There are parts where the new road ties in to old roads that will require further work and resurfacing, but nothing big.

mackerski

The junction at the south end of the scheme is now fully open, including the replacement of Barberstown Lane South. At the eastern end of that improved section, there is a signal-controlled single-lane section using half of the roundabout. The other half isn't fully constructed and I think they needed the old road to be out of use before it can be completed. Lots of cars coming from the Clonee direction towards Lucan are mistakenly continuing straight onto Barberstown Lane instead of turning right at the new traffic lights (not yet operational).

The current state is now on OpenStreetMap, but it will probably take a day or two for all zoom levels to fully update.