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M6/4 Motorway Galway to Dublin (for discussing completed sections)

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  • #1002
    Irish and Proud
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭Irish and Proud


    Just drove the entire M6 to Galway - it's some road. Some of it is so smooth it's like gliding. Pity about the weather though.


  • #1003
    mayo23
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭mayo23


    Traveling westbound through the M6 toll at Ballinasloe a few days ago, I was offered a leaflet about how to drive on a motorway. It was made by the RSA. Anyone else get this? I thought it was a bit unusual.


  • #1004
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    During the closure, what exactly did they do to the Westbound carriageway between Athlone and Ballinasloe? I didn't see anything when I drove it at the weekend apart from a very small resurfaced patch.


  • #1005
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    my understanding is that they installed an additional drainpipe from the central reservation.


  • #1006
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    There appears to be some plans afoot to re-do the Maynooth junction (seriously underpowered for its size, it was a bog standard diamond but is now a mutant). Local Labour news had some reference to NRA plans to put a new junction for the town on another road, and there's also a thread over in the Kildare forum on it:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81907089#post81907089


  • #1007
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Needs to be D3 to Maynooth anyway. Re-do the junction then to add some freeflow to it.


  • #1008
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Slightly constrained site. One side would be massively disruptive to a long established business (Barretts/Triton) but could be done with some appropriate CPOing and replacement land, the other two sides that haven't been mutated yet are just yards and replacement land would be easy.


  • #1009
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    Roll it in with D3 from the Spa Hotel to wherever it ends ...either at the existing junction or a new junction and a partial west ring road of Maynooth north to the Moyglare road.


  • #1010
    funnyname
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,764 ✭✭✭funnyname


    The cats eyes on the section from Dublin to Athlone need to be replaced as it beginning to become a hazard to drive on that part of the motorway during the hours of darkness.

    Also how come the junction at Athenry is not lit, you don't see the exit until the last second.

    Also while I'm here there is a very poor section eastbound on the outside lane just before the 3rd bridge before the Kilbeggan/Tullamore exit, it's a rollercoaster of a dip and I wouldn't like to be on a motorbike going over it.


  • #1011
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    Definitely in favour of the M4 being widened to Maynooth (if not Kilcock). There should be enough room for wide lanes and the sightlines should be good enough for 120kmh running :)


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  • #1012
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    KevR wrote: »
    Definitely in favour of the M4 being widened to Maynooth (if not Kilcock). There should be enough room for wide lanes and the sightlines should be good enough for 120kmh running :)

    By the looks of it, that section of motorway was designed to have three lanes each way when it was built. Just like most of the earlier motorways, all they need to do is remove the hedge in the central median and build the third lanes, just like on the M1 north of dublin.


  • #1013
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    There's 2 big sheds being built at the Moate East junction, like warehouse buildings, seem way too big for agricultural buildings

    On the Athlone side of the lonk road from m6 to old n6

    I don't know what's being built there but hardly good planning building on motorway access routes


  • #1014
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    The steel central barrier between Athlone and Ballinasloe is damaged in a number of locations. Some of the spots have been damaged for quite a while - they don't seem to be in any hurry to do repairs.

    One can only assume that barrier strength has been compromised and the potential for a crossover incident would be greater at the damaged locations in the event of a new collision.


  • #1015
    buzz11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 758 ✭✭✭buzz11


    I recently noticed that on the M6 from Ballinasloe to Galway (could be longer distance, I only noticed this stretch), the rumble strips are completely absent on both sides i.e. yellow hard shoulder and rhs white continuous line

    Why has this been omitted and is it not an essential part of a motorway construction?


  • #1016
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    buzz11 wrote: »
    I recently noticed that on the M6 from Ballinasloe to Galway (could be longer distance, I only noticed this stretch), the rumble strips are completely absent on both sides i.e. yellow hard shoulder and rhs white continuous line

    Why has this been omitted and is it not an essential part of a motorway construction?

    This question belongs in the M6/4 Motorway Galway to Dublin (for discussing completed sections) thread but they haven't been omitted, if you drive over the lines you'll know it fairly lively, though in parts they may have been worn away.


  • #1017
    buzz11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 758 ✭✭✭buzz11


    antoobrien wrote: »
    they haven't been omitted, if you drive over the lines you'll know it fairly lively, though in parts they may have been worn away.

    You are wrong. The rumble strips end/start at junction 14 which is where the Galway Ballinasloe PPP motorway section was built separate to the other parts, they have left them out.
    The outer yellow and white lines are paint only, no rumble strips (but reflective eyes are in place) They aren't worn and you won't know when you've driven over the lines (except noise from reflective eyes)

    Watch for it the next time you drive that section, you'll see what I mean.


  • #1018
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    buzz11 wrote: »
    You are wrong. The rumble strips end/start at junction 14 which is where the Galway Ballinasloe PPP motorway section was built separate to the other parts, they have left them out.
    The outer yellow and white lines are paint only, no rumble strips (but reflective eyes are in place) They aren't worn and you won't know when you've driven over the lines (except noise from reflective eyes)

    Watch for it the next time you drive that section, you'll see what I mean.

    I drove that section for 2 years every couple of weeks, I know what I'm on about. If you drive over the yellow lines, you know about it.


  • #1019
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    The emergency lane yellow line and median white line between Galway and Ballinasloe have been rumble-strip-free since day one.

    Not sure why they were omitted, it's a good safety feature.


  • #1020
    EAFC_rdfl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 283 ✭✭EAFC_rdfl


    buzz11 wrote: »
    You are wrong. The rumble strips end/start at junction 14 which is where the Galway Ballinasloe PPP motorway section was built separate to the other parts, they have left them out.
    The outer yellow and white lines are paint only, no rumble strips (but reflective eyes are in place) They aren't worn and you won't know when you've driven over the lines (except noise from reflective eyes)

    Watch for it the next time you drive that section, you'll see what I mean.
    antoobrien wrote: »
    I drove that section for 2 years every couple of weeks, I know what I'm on about. If you drive over the yellow lines, you know about it.
    KevR wrote: »
    The emergency lane yellow line and median white line between Galway and Ballinasloe have been rumble-strip-free since day one.

    Not sure why they were omitted, it's a good safety feature.

    Yip I use it every day and there has never been any rumble strip on the PPP part of the M6 (from between the 2 Ballinasloe exits down to Galway). We can't be right all of the time Anto :)


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  • #1021
    NetDabbler
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭NetDabbler


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    There's 2 big sheds being built at the Moate East junction, like warehouse buildings, seem way too big for agricultural buildings

    On the Athlone side of the lonk road from m6 to old n6

    I don't know what's being built there but hardly good planning building on motorway access routes

    This is the NRA Depot and it's at junction 7, Moate (West).


  • #1022
    flazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,250 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Some visual evidence.
    With Rumble strips. http://goo.gl/maps/7eJXz
    Without Rumble strips http://goo.gl/maps/WEZMm
    You can actually see where they stop in that second picture.
    They are however, still present at junctions. http://goo.gl/maps/xbfEP


  • #1023
    serfboard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭serfboard


    From the Independent:
    The Irish Independent wrote:
    Losses on the M6 motorway between Ballinasloe and Galway are mounting, and the company that operates the road wants more tolling points to be introduced.
    This would capture drivers who enter and exit the motorway at different points to avoid paying the €1.90 charge.
    The article goes on to day that the Minister and the NRA have ruled it out.
    These changes are needed to "save" the project, sources said, because traffic volumes are running at just 9,500 a day – 6,000 vehicles fewer than expected when the deal was signed ...

    "This level of loss is unsustainable," a source close to the project said. "If this situation is allowed to continue, the M6 PPP could default on its commercial loans with Irish and international banks and with the European Investment Bank in the near future."
    Apparently of the 9 tolled roads in Ireland, 4 are loss-making - the M6, N25, M3 and Limerick Tunnel - but the latter two are covered by an agreement that the government will make up the deficit. The same doesn't apply here.
    N6 Concession has been ordered by its banks to conduct an urgent study into future traffic volumes – and to consider if additional tolling points could be introduced.
    I have to say I always thought it was odd that the PPP gave away so much for free. I wondered why you could drive to Loughrea without paying a toll - before it was built I thought that the furthest you would get would be Athenry. Well, now it seems the PPPs banks too are trying to reverse that decision.

    According to the article "The operators now want to introduce a series of tolling points along the entire stretch". I can't see that happening. What I could see happening would be toll points at the Loughrea exits though.


  • #1024
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    serfboard wrote: »
    According to the article "The operators now want to introduce a series of tolling points along the entire stretch". I can't see that happening. What I could see happening would be toll points at the Loughrea exits though.

    This is the same thing as the Kilcock - Kinnegad stretch of the M4, the difference being that there 1 exit on that stretch at Enfield where the eastbound exit and westbound entrance are tolled.


  • #1025
    serfboard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭serfboard


    antoobrien wrote: »
    This is the same thing as the Kilcock - Kinnegad stretch of the M4, the difference being that there 1 exit on that stretch at Enfield where the eastbound exit and westbound entrance are tolled.
    Yeah, and I could see exactly the same thing happening at Loughrea - eastbound exit and Westbound entrance being tolled. It's the most obvious, cheapest and probably politically most acceptable solution.

    I don't think it will make up the shortfall though.

    Tolls at the Athenry exit might in theory do it, but the public would blow a gasket, toll-dodging would be massive and we'd be back to tailbacks at Derrydonnell again. :rolleyes:


  • #1026
    antoobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    serfboard wrote: »
    Yeah, and I could see exactly the same thing happening at Loughrea - eastbound exit and Westbound entrance being tolled. It's the most obvious, cheapest and probably politically most acceptable solution.

    I don't think it will make up the shortfall though.

    Tolls at the Athenry exit might in theory do it, but the public would blow a gasket, toll-dodging would be massive and we'd be back to tailbacks at Derrydonnell again. :rolleyes:

    Reading the article one thing surprised me: they had predicted usage of 15,500 vehicles per day, which was 50% higher than the peak recorded usage at the time the contract was being signed. Considering growth was in single figures, the NRA got a good deal out of this one.


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  • #1027
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Worst I can see happening is the group goes into receivership and exits it paying 60 cents on the euro, in line with current income.

    Their mention of default is purely to link it to Ireland, as in Ireland has defaulted on something, in the eyes of the media.

    As mentioned in other posts, we've signed contracts where we carry the loss, IMHO its tough luck that they now have to carry the loss.


  • #1028
    KevR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,110 ✭✭✭KevR


    The delay in building the M17/18 isn't helping the M6 operators. The M17/18 will feed extra Dublin-bound traffic from the West of Ireland onto the M6 toll section.


  • #1029
    guylikeme
    Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭guylikeme


    Junction 13 to 14 West closed today. That's over 20km. Assuming the whole thing ain't being redone, what warrants a full closure


  • #1030
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    guylikeme wrote: »
    Junction 13 to 14 West closed today. That's over 20km. Assuming the whole thing ain't being redone, what warrants a full closure
    The closure is only for a couple of days, apparently to repair a section of carriageway that has subsided.


  • #1031
    guylikeme
    Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭guylikeme


    Deleted User wrote: »
    The closure is only for a couple of days, apparently to repair a section of carriageway that has subsided.

    7 years on from opening. "Shoddy shoddy workmanship Ted"!


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  • #1032
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    So the privates sector took on the risk, and now are crying about loosing money? My heart bleeds. The concession should go bust and someone new will take it on. Same as when Eircom went bust ( and no one noticed)


  • #1033
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,435 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    So the privates sector took on the risk, and now are crying about loosing money? My heart bleeds. The concession should go bust and someone new will take it on. Same as when Eircom went bust ( and no one noticed)

    The concession certainly shouldn't go bust, no point in it falling back into the public sector now. If it is poor construction then recourse should be had to the construction company or to the structural engineer who recommended acceptance as properly built. If they only took a 6 year warranty on a 30 or not year construction then they are idiots. The fault will have been identified some time ago so is suspect it's coming from a construction bond or PII claim if it is truly poor constructionZ


  • #1034
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    So the privates sector took on the risk, and now are crying about loosing money? My heart bleeds. The concession should go bust and someone new will take it on. Same as when Eircom went bust ( and no one noticed)

    3 years ago!


  • #1035
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    So the privates sector took on the risk, and now are crying about loosing money? My heart bleeds. The concession should go bust and someone new will take it on. Same as when Eircom went bust ( and no one noticed)

    13 - 14 is publicly owned, its not part of the M6 concession bit (which is 14 - 20).


  • #1036
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Deleted User wrote: »
    The closure is only for a couple of days, apparently to repair a section of carriageway that has subsided.
    OK it was reopened this morning so only closed for one day in the end, must have only been a fairly minor issue.


  • #1037
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    .... and closing again tomorrow for one day.


  • #1038
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,435 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Deleted User wrote: »
    .... and closing again tomorrow for one day.

    Am at Athlone, is it definitely open?


  • #1039
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Marcusm wrote: »
    Am at Athlone, is it definitely open?
    Yes, I was around J13 an hour ago.


  • #1040
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Just noticed that all roads around Kilcock towards the M4, its R148 bypass etc are all labelled R148. Is this not a mistake? The road officially goes through the town and out towards Maynooth


  • #1041
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,460 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2018/04/20/4155052-troy-critical-over-unfair-m4-tolls/

    I wonder what party was in charge when this road was built and opened?

    Conveniently forgets to mention that the M3 toll (not M2 as said in the article) is 1.40 because there's a second toll 20km up the road.


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  • #1042
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    Indeed.... for the record https://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1212/70710-roads/


  • #1043
    Chris_5339762
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Good lord
    “These rates are completely out of sync with all other roads,” continued Deputy Troy.

    “We only have to look at the M6 in Ballinsloe where motorists are charged €1.90.

    “Users of the M2 fare even better only having to pay €1.40 per trip.

    1) The M2 does not have a toll
    2) The M50 toll is roughly the same as the M4 at Enfield.
    3) The Port Tunnel


  • #1044
    veryangryman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,600 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    The man is a hick.

    That said you (could) argue that he is only referring to commuter roads to Dublin that are outside city limits. The M2 reference does confirm his status as a hick though.


  • #1045
    roadmaster
    Registered Users Posts: 3,849 ✭✭✭roadmaster


    In Fairness he is a local rep representing his voters. This is becoming a bit of an issue with tradesmen in particular due to it costing them over 170 a month on tolls because they are driving vans. Any sites i do be on in Dublin that is all the lads are giving out about is the cost of the tolls.

    Personally i have no problem with tolls because the roads have to be paid for and maintained simple as.


  • #1046
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,460 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    roadmaster wrote: »
    In Fairness he is a local rep representing his voters. This is becoming a bit of an issue with tradesmen in particular due to it costing them over 170 a month on tolls because they are driving vans. Any sites i do be on in Dublin that is all the lads are giving out about is the cost of the tolls.

    Personally i have no problem with tolls because the roads have to be paid for and maintained simple as.
    It's true, it is excessive for regular users being the highest toll in the country (besides the Westlink which is 2.10 if you're a regular with a tag, and just above the M3 (entire stretch) at €2.80)

    But his party were in Government when that road was built and opened - if it's an issue now why wasn't it an issue when his party implemented it in the first place?


  • #1047
    roadmaster
    Registered Users Posts: 3,849 ✭✭✭roadmaster


    marno21 wrote: »
    It's true, it is excessive for regular users being the highest toll in the country (besides the Westlink which is 2.10 if you're a regular with a tag, and just above the M3 (entire stretch) at €2.80)

    But his party were in Government when that road was built and opened - if it's an issue now why wasn't it an issue when his party implemented it in the first place?

    That was 15 years ago he was probably doing the junior cert when it was being built so he claim distance from it. Politicians flip and flop they can talk away anything from the past all that matters is saying the right thing so they get reelected. On a personal note that article from rte made me feel really old as i worked on that job for a couple years


  • #1048
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    He was a council candidate who got elected in 2004, can't claim much distance


  • #1049
    serfboard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭serfboard


    Instead of ranting to the local paper trying to drum up some publicity for himself, he could always ask his party leader, who was in government at the time.


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