N22 - Macroom to Ballyvourney (Macroom Bypass) [open to traffic]

imangry29 wrote: »

This is one of the few schemes progressed to almost beyond shovel ready. The current official party line for a start date is Q1 2020. Test of Michael Creed, Brendan Griffin etc. now whether they can pull this date forward as part of the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan due to be announced before end of this year. Varadkar and even Shane Ross have been hinting at this approach for projects already announced in the 2016 Capital Plan. The best hope is tender it and complete archaeology/advance works in 2018 and start in 2019? Worst case surely has to be Q1 2020..... famous last words I know! TII resources coming free in the next month with the opening of Gort-Tuam, they'll have to put their hand to something!

Very interesting to see where Macroom-Ovens falls in the new 10 year plan. Somebody with a brain in TII must surely realise that having a 22km dual carriageway terminating into the narrow stretch from Macroom to Lissarda is a disaster waiting to happen?? Yet, politically, the M20, the M28, a lot of the N25, the Northern Ring Road etc. etc. are all likely to be the priority. There is billions to go in Cork road projects alone. A bit like the National Development Plans of old, a load of these schemes will be announced. In 10-15 years time, this thread or some extension/offshoot of it will still be alive waiting for Macroom-Ovens me thinks!

Nice post.

Q1 2020 will likely be stuck to given that there's still money to be spent and there's no sign of even a engineering consultancy tender yet, yet alone a construction tender.

I would be happy with Q1 2020 as long as that's concrete and it'll be done for 2022.

TII are well aware of what Cork needs but it's difficult to communicate this to a man whose main roads agenda revolves around the N5. Leo's Capital Plan should be a major improvement on before and I can see an N22 scheme (either Macroom-Ovens/Killarney-Farranfore) being progressed as a pipeline scheme.

imangry29

This is one of the few schemes progressed to almost beyond shovel ready. The current official party line for a start date is Q1 2020. Test of Michael Creed, Brendan Griffin etc. now whether they can pull this date forward as part of the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan due to be announced before end of this year. Varadkar and even Shane Ross have been hinting at this approach for projects already announced in the 2016 Capital Plan. The best hope is tender it and complete archaeology/advance works in 2018 and start in 2019? Worst case surely has to be Q1 2020..... famous last words I know! TII resources coming free in the next month with the opening of Gort-Tuam, they'll have to put their hand to something!

Very interesting to see where Macroom-Ovens falls in the new 10 year plan. Somebody with a brain in TII must surely realise that having a 22km dual carriageway terminating into the narrow stretch from Macroom to Lissarda is a disaster waiting to happen?? Yet, politically, the M20, the M28, a lot of the N25, the Northern Ring Road etc. etc. are all likely to be the priority. There is billions to go in Cork road projects alone. A bit like the National Development Plans of old, a load of these schemes will be announced. In 10-15 years time, this thread or some extension/offshoot of it will still be alive waiting for Macroom-Ovens me thinks!

marno21 wrote: »

I don't think it was him entirely calling the shots back then to be fair. 70 or so other schemes were cancelled too, and there was a requirement to compulsorily purchase the land if the project was to advance, which was money we didn't have.

Enda constantly said we had no money for the M20 and criticised the cheek of Cork people for asking for it. Leo has said numerous times in the few weeks he's been in charge that it's a priority for his Capital plan, as opposed to the road to Castlebar and Westport that Enda wanted done.

Maybe now that Leo is in the driving seat he can see how badly that road is needed.

Do you reckon it was Kenny and Noonan who called the real shots in 2011?

Why Noonan never got it off the ground at any time is mind boggling.

Sure Enda is Enda, look after number 1 and fcuk the rest.

I'll never forget his 'Cork got its motorway to Dublin' rant.

I know this has been said on multiple occasions, but the M20 needs to go from Blarney to Patrickswell only.

Do it once do it right!

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Even though he was the one who shelved it in 2011?

I don't think it was him entirely calling the shots back then to be fair. 70 or so other schemes were cancelled too, and there was a requirement to compulsorily purchase the land if the project was to advance, which was money we didn't have.

Enda constantly said we had no money for the M20 and criticised the cheek of Cork people for asking for it. Leo has said numerous times in the few weeks he's been in charge that it's a priority for his Capital plan, as opposed to the road to Castlebar and Westport that Enda wanted done.

marno21 wrote: »

I wouldn't be so sure. I am fairly optimistic about what Varadkar has said about the M20 so far so we may have a glimmer of hope.

From what I've been reading, Varadkar is planning a new capital plan that will be 2017-2026 rather than the current short term one which lacks ambition and major projects. Cornerstone projects will be the Metro North, M20 and A5/N2 Dublin-Derry. Expect the little projects like Macroom etc to be retained and the Cork North Ring and Macroom-Ovens etc to be included as pipeline projects.

In this instance, the N22 mainline would be freeflow and you would have to exit for access to Macroom, instead of everyone having to yield at the one roundabout.

Even though he was the one who shelved it in 2011?

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

One thing appears certain, this will be done and dusted and the M20 will still be a mere discussion.

I wouldn't be so sure. I am fairly optimistic about what Varadkar has said about the M20 so far so we may have a glimmer of hope.

KOR101 wrote: »

There is extra money which will be allocated when the Capital Programme Review is published.

http://www.per.gov.ie/en/capital-investment-plan-2016-2021/

We can at least hope it will be moved forward by say a year.

From what I've been reading, Varadkar is planning a new capital plan that will be 2017-2026 rather than the current short term one which lacks ambition and major projects. Cornerstone projects will be the Metro North, M20 and A5/N2 Dublin-Derry. Expect the little projects like Macroom etc to be retained and the Cork North Ring and Macroom-Ovens etc to be included as pipeline projects.

KOR101 wrote: »

Can you explain what 'Grade Separated' means?

In this instance, the N22 mainline would be freeflow and you would have to exit for access to Macroom, instead of everyone having to yield at the one roundabout.

Middle Man

KOR101 wrote: »

Can you explain what 'Grade Separated' means?

Where a junction is constructed on two or more levels so as to allow free flowing traffic conditions on at least one mainline therethrough.

KOR101

marno21 wrote: »

Roundabout east of Macroom that would likely be grade seperated as part of the M22/N22 scheme but thats about it.

Can you explain what 'Grade Separated' means?

KOR101

marno21 wrote: »

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Back on topic;

This will be an interesting route once fully completed.

Is there a timeline for completion before recent developments were discovered?I remember this bypass being discussed on the late 1990's

Current projected start date is Q1 2020 due to funding constraints. That should be easily achievable even with archaelogical delays.

Should be open to traffic in 2022.

There is extra money which will be allocated when the Capital Programme Review is published.

http://www.per.gov.ie/en/capital-investment-plan-2016-2021/

We can at least hope it will be moved forward by say a year.

One thing appears certain, this will be done and dusted and the M20 will still be a mere discussion.

Aontachtoir

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Leo wouldn't dare allow us vote on that.

Thank goodness we have someone sensible at the top! :D

marno21 wrote: »

Current projected start date is Q1 2020 due to funding constraints. That should be easily achievable even with archaeological delays.

Should be open to traffic in 2022.

I wonder, if the Ovens section happens to come through in the capital plan, will they hold off construction and just do the whole road at once. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what exactly is included when they finally announce it.

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Back on topic;

This will be an interesting route once fully completed.

Is there a timeline for completion before recent developments were discovered?I remember this bypass being discussed on the late 1990's

Current projected start date is Q1 2020 due to funding constraints. That should be easily achievable even with archaelogical delays.

Should be open to traffic in 2022.

Middle Man wrote: »

Eirexit perhaps?

Leo wouldn't dare allow us vote on that.

Us Irish need to be top of the class for our European masters.

Back on topic;

This will be an interesting route once fully completed.

Is there a timeline for completion before recent developments were discovered?I remember this bypass being discussed on the late 1990's

Middle Man

Water John wrote: »

Ye're forgetting the new Brexit custom post!!!

Eirexit perhaps?

Ye're forgetting the new Brexit custom post!!!

BelfastVanMan

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Doltanian wrote: »

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

You would have Dual Carriageway and Motorway standard all the way from the bottom of the County bounds outside Ballyvourney not just to Dublin but all the ways as far as Antrim. With the Randalstown roundabout connecting the A1 to the M1 above in the north.

That's Sprucefield roundabout ;-)

Plus, Hillsborough roundabout is just before Sprucefield, so you'd hit that first. And that's County Down. Just.

But, discounting non-grade-seperated junctions, it'd be dual and motorway the whole way as far as the A26/A44 split, 10 miles north of Ballymena, or very soon, as far as Castledawson roundabout, on the A6 in County Derry.

BelfastVanMan

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Doltanian wrote: »

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

You would have Dual Carriageway and Motorway standard all the way from the bottom of the County bounds outside Ballyvourney not just to Dublin but all the ways as far as Antrim. With the Randalstown roundabout connecting the A1 to the M1 above in the north.

That's Sprucefield roundabout ;-)

Plus, Hillsborough roundabout is just before Sprucefield, so you'd hit that first. And that's County Down. Just.

BelfastVanMan

Doltanian wrote: »

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

You would have Dual Carriageway and Motorway standard all the way from the bottom of the County bounds outside Ballyvourney not just to Dublin but all the ways as far as Antrim. With the Randalstown roundabout connecting the A1 to the M1 above in the north.

That's Sprucefield roundabout ;-)

Doltanian

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

You would have Dual Carriageway and Motorway standard all the way from the bottom of the County bounds outside Ballyvourney not just to Dublin but all the ways as far as Antrim. With the Randalstown roundabout connecting the A1 to the M1 above in the north.

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

Roundabout east of Macroom that would likely be grade seperated as part of the M22/N22 scheme but thats about it. First stoppage from Dublin to Killarney would be the level crossing at Minish just east of Killarney. (or the Douglas flyover if it's peak time) (also assuming you have a toll tag for the 2 tolls).

Once the whole lot is done including ovens, will that effectively be a straight run from the Cork/Kerry border to Dublin once the Dunkettle interchange is done on top of this?

Thanks Marno. I accept that it wont be built until the present phase is done.

My thinking is that it makes no sense, bridging the river with a motorway at Coolcower and then revert a few years later to staying north of the river.

The Ovens-Macroom section will likely go back into planning soon, but it won't start construction this side of 2024.

No, wouldn't trust him. May be firing it off for his own reasons. Just wanted to check if there was anything on the informal grapevine. Thanks for replying.

Aontachtoir

Water John wrote: »

Anybody get any feed back on the second part, to Ovens being done? One source telling me it will but I really don't believe it.

Haven't heard anything here, all the focus seems to be on the Macroom part of the N22. How connected is your source? Did he or she give any target dates?

Anybody get any feed back on the second part, to Ovens being done? One source telling me it will but I really don't believe it.

Aontachtoir

Benildus wrote: »

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

This discovery will probably delay things with the Macroom BP getting off the ground for a bit longer.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/bronze-age-ring-fort-among-sites-discovered-on-macroom-road-route-457841.html

ahhhhhhhhhh *sad face*

Don't despair! That part of Cork is well-known to be full of archaeological finds. The time for a thorough investigation will have been included in the estimated prep time. I think it partly explains why we haven't seen any definitive start dates before 2019. I personally find the results of these pre-construction digs fascinating - it's easy to forget how long and rich our country's history is.

Historical interests aside, I drive this road a lot and can't wait for this upgrade either. Step by step, we'll get our bypass, and will never have to drive through Macroom, Baile Mhic Ire, or any of those terrible twists between them again. :^)