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M7 - Naas/Newbridge Bypass Upgrade [Junction 9a now open]

JupiterKid

Following on from the suggestion of a poster, this thread has been set up to discuss the need for widening the M7.

The section of the M7 IMO in immediate need (really a backlog need) for widening is the section from the Maudlins Interchange at Naas to the M9 interchange - basically the original 1983 Naas Bypass and half of the 1993 Newbridge Bypass. Is this likely to proceed in the near future?

Would the central median be wide enough for widening to D3M here? I'm pretty sure it is wide enough on the Newbridge bypass section but I'm not so sure in the case of the Naas Bypass.

Also, what bridges will need to be demolished and rebuilt? Or would it be more practical to drop the hard shoulder through the existing bridges?

What about the proposal a few years back to build a new junction at on the Naas Bypass at Osberstown? Will it still go ahead?

In the longer term, does anyone see a need to widen the M7 to the N7/M8 junction?

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serfboard

CeilingFly wrote: »

gardai accepting that it was a limit that could not be enforced.

Yep - you'll find that the Gardai are very reluctant to enforce laws/rules that the vast majority of the population disagree with - thus making them unenforceable. And that's the reson that GoSafe are being brought in.

CeilingFly wrote: »

they put up an impossible limit of 60kmh MAX and 99% of motorists ignore it because its simply STUPID.

Put a 80kmh limit and you'll find most motorist will respect it because its more reasonable.

I can confirm that with an experience from Co. Galway - Claregalway to be exact. When new bus lanes went in, a 50kmh limit was put in place - which 95% of drivers broke. The limit was increased to 60kmh and now 95% of drivers observe it. (disclaimer: Percentages may not be exact

)

So the solution is either to change the speed limit, or if they really want to keep it, to:

loyatemu wrote: »

physically slow the traffic down using narrower lanes and chicanes.

loyatemu

the other alternative is that they physically slow the traffic down using narrower lanes and chicanes.

CeilingFly

loyatemu wrote: »

I was on it last week and thought 80 would be a reasonable limit given the layout - I tried doing 60 and felt unsafe as most of the other traffic barrelled past me doing 100+.

and that's the problem - they put up an impossible limit of 60kmh MAX and 99% of motorists ignore it because its simply STUPID.

Put a 80kmh limit and you'll find most motorist will respect it because its more reasonable.

Some jobsworth fool insisted on this limit and the relevant people just went with it despite most of the managers and the gardai accepting that it was a limit that could not be enforced.

OldMrBrennan83

loyatemu wrote: »

I was on it last week and thought 80 would be a reasonable limit given the layout - I tried doing 60 and felt unsafe as most of the other traffic barrelled past me doing 100+.

It's the 100+ that's unsafe part of that scenario, not the 60.

loyatemu

I was on it last week and thought 80 would be a reasonable limit given the layout - I tried doing 60 and felt unsafe as most of the other traffic barrelled past me doing 100+.

MrDerp

I was driving the M4 in England once a week a few years ago when they were doing a resurfacing. A couple of notes:
1. It wasn't 24 hour and it operated and looked a lot like the current M7 works.
2. Speed averaging cameras were used, and worked, but were set at 50mph.
3. The lanes were more narrowed - they burnt off all existing lanes and put down temporary orange markings. I think this focuses the mind somewhat.

Naturally here we have an unenforced 60 in the hope that people think ah sure 80 will be fine. The problem is that the lanes are perfectly driveable at 100, but that the running lanes aren't the actual safety issue, it's worker safety and access. An enforced 80 (with speed average cameras) and narrowed lanes would improve compliance and safety.

spacetweek

rameire wrote: »

I was driving the M7 on Friday from the Jn 15 and then into the roadworks section. so put the cruise control on at 62. not to long afterwards nearly got plowed by a TK max truck, and two Dublin Coach Buses.
the coaches had no intention on slowing down from their speed which I assume was around 90.

F*** them. Stick to your guns - they're breaking the law.

Drove it today Dublin-bound. Was surprised that speed wasn't too bad. I kept to 70 and everyone else was doing the same. However near the east end of Naas it speeded way up to 90/100.

harr

rameire wrote: »

I was driving the M7 on Friday from the Jn 15 and then into the roadworks section. so put the cruise control on at 62. not to long afterwards nearly got plowed by a TK max truck, and two Dublin Coach Buses.
the coaches had no intention on slowing down from their speed which I assume was around 90.
I hope Dublin Coach have a stockpile ready for all the speeding fines they are to get from monday.
The majority of vehicles didnt slow down, but there were a good few who did.
as for the works, its starting to look good.
They were pouring the cement drains, and shaving the bushes.

It can be deadly, I was on that stretch last week and it had two speed checks on it so have kept to 60 since.
Had a huge tanker on Wednesday flashing his lights behind me to move faster because he couldn’t get into overtaking lane because of all the others tipping along at about 100kph

marno21

pad199207 wrote: »

Since Naas has Naas North as J9 and Naas South for J10 , will the new junction 9a be for Naas West?

J9 R445 Naas North
J9a R407 Sallins
J10 R445 Naas South/Newbridge

CeilingFly

kooga wrote: »

Any idea why major infrastructure work such as this can't go 24 hours a day - seems an awful long time to take to widen a road - and out of comparison would such a project be 24 hour elsewhere internationally ? Thank you

Most works like this, even internationally, take place 7am to 7pm.

After that and you're into all sorts of other issues including noise for residents (noise travels further at night), separate management teams and also sourcing all the relevant workers with the relevant skills for a nighttime shift. In the end, time saving would be minimal.

There is a 138 page EIS that goes into all the pros and cons and it said it was not feasible.

Even the infamous Boston Big Dig did not have regular nighttime or weekend work.

kooga

Any idea why major infrastructure work such as this can't go 24 hours a day - seems an awful long time to take to widen a road - and out of comparison would such a project be 24 hour elsewhere internationally ? Thank you

veryangryman

pad199207 wrote: »

Since Naas has Naas North as J9 and Naas South for J10 , will the new junction 9a be for Naas West?

Based on cellbridge west junction...id imagine it will start with a letter, then when TII do a refresh all numbers will be realigned

pad199207

Since Naas has Naas North as J9 and Naas South for J10 , will the new junction 9a be for Naas West?

rameire

I was driving the M7 on Friday from the Jn 15 and then into the roadworks section. so put the cruise control on at 62. not to long afterwards nearly got plowed by a TK max truck, and two Dublin Coach Buses.
the coaches had no intention on slowing down from their speed which I assume was around 90.
I hope Dublin Coach have a stockpile ready for all the speeding fines they are to get from monday.
The majority of vehicles didnt slow down, but there were a good few who did.
as for the works, its starting to look good.
They were pouring the cement drains, and shaving the bushes.

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

They are progressing very well with clearing hedge and removing subsoil. They have 3 diggers clearing subsoil and a line of trucks to clear it. Some contrast to the approach last Jan in phase 1. Allot of phase 1 has now being dig out and refilled with hardcore stone. Central concrete drainage is done for about a third of it. Good to see physical progress taking shape.

I'll guess that as the "Newbridge bypass" section was built later than the "Naas bypass" that it was more future proofed with a road base put under the top layer of soil.

His name escapes me, but there was someone in kildare cc that took into account possible future expansion when planning major road schemes thus land and sub structure is in place. Naas section was built years before he was there

Edit - it was Joe kelly and he's one of the key people on the upgrade.

[Deleted User]

L1011 wrote: »

Local rag covered this with photos of the Welsh GoSafe vehicles which, as far as I can tell, has nothing to do with the private camera crowd here.

Most people don't understand "Go Mall" let alone "mynd yn araf" :pac:

L1011

Tyson Fury wrote: »

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1032196127502651392?s=19

Local rag covered this with photos of the Welsh GoSafe vehicles which, as far as I can tell, has nothing to do with the private camera crowd here.

marno21

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Are they putting the horrible bulky gantries you see on the M50 on this?

We should go for the slender US style.

They will be going with whatever gantries are compliant with current Irish gantry policy

Kermit.de.frog

Are they putting the horrible bulky gantries you see on the M50 on this?

We should go for the slender US style.

sea12

They are progressing very well with clearing hedge and removing subsoil. They have 3 diggers clearing subsoil and a line of trucks to clear it. Some contrast to the approach last Jan in phase 1. Allot of phase 1 has now being dig out and refilled with hardcore stone. Central concrete drainage is done for about a third of it. Good to see physical progress taking shape.

NedNew2

From KildareNow.com

https://www.kildarenow.com/news/obey-60km-speed-limits-m7-works-zone-council-urges-drivers/244504

M7 NAAS NEWBRIDGE BYPASS & INTERCHANGES

Key Facts...

Widening 13.5km of Motorway from 2 lanes to 3 lanes in both directions
Upgrading Junction 10 - Newhall Interchange
Concrete Barrier - 26 km
Fencing – 12,000 metres
Drainage – 40,000 metres
Ducting – 65,000 metres
Over 1,000,000 truck movements during the course of the works
UPDATE ON WORKS: - Works on the first phase between Junctions 8 (Johnstown) and Junction 10 (Naas South) are on track to finish by Spring 2019 with the majority of the piped drainage in this phase installed.

Currently, 11 Gantries with concrete foundations are under construction including capping/ pavement sub-formation operations and the installation of concrete drainage channels.

The contractor began works on Phase 2 including putting in place the extension of the traffic management between Junctions 10 (Naas South) and Junction 11 (M7/M9 merge).

At present, Phase 2 will advance the contractual commitment for completion of mainline works by spring 2019.

M7 OSBERSTOWN INTERCHANGE

Key Facts…Construction of new grade separated interchange at Osberstown (new Junction 9A) will provide access from the M7 to the Sallins Bypass and Naas Ring Road with the existing Osberstown over-bridge being demolished as part of the works.

UPDATE ON WORKS: - Construction of the northwest, southwest and southeast embankments are progressing well with the northeast embankment close to completion. Construction of the central pier is at an advanced stage.

SALLINS BYPASS

Key Facts…

2.0km of new dual carriageway and 3.6km of new single carriageway
6 New bridges including:
two crossings over the River Liffey
one crossing over the Grand Canal
one crossing under the Cork Dublin railway line
UPDATE ON WORKS: - The construction of a new bridge under the Dublin - Cork/Limerick railway line was installed over the 2018 Easter bank holiday weekend and work continues on the required drainage and earthworks.

The works on structured piling is progressing on other structures and a temporary crossing (Bailey bridge) is installed on first crossing over River Liffey.

Key Dates: - The Osberstown Interchange and Sallins Bypass schedule for completion by end of 2019

pad199207

MichealD wrote: »

Cheers. Enniscorthy, so choice of N80 or N11 to begin with.

Yeah from Enniscorthy the N80/M9 would be your best bet. Also there’s actually a back road from Sallins to Straffan that would be quicker instead of going up to the Kill Junction. You would have to get off at Naas South.

MichealD

CeilingFly wrote: »

Wexford to Maynooth probably best to use M11, M50 & M4, can't see why you'd go M7 unless you are closer to the M9 such as Bunclody - if so, with schools not back and many on holidays its not too bad.

Cheers. Enniscorthy, so choice of N80 or N11 to begin with.

serfboard

Tyson Fury wrote: »

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1032196127502651392?s=19

i.e. GoSafe are going to do what we don't want to.

CeilingFly

MichealD wrote: »

Apologies in advance for derailing thread.

Haven't been on this road since works began. Is the traffic moving fairly well, albeit slowly, in the mornings? Bringing daughter from Wexford to Maynooth Uni for an interview at 10.15am tomorrow and wondering how much longer the section from the M7/9 interchange to Kill turnoff for Maynooth will take.

Wexford to Maynooth probably best to use M11, M50 & M4, can't see why you'd go M7 unless you are closer to the M9 such as Bunclody - if so, with schools not back and many on holidays its not too bad.

KOR101

MichealD wrote: »

Apologies in advance for derailing thread.

Haven't been on this road since works began. Is the traffic moving fairly well, albeit slowly, in the mornings? Bringing daughter from Wexford to Maynooth Uni for an interview at 10.15am tomorrow and wondering how much longer the section from the M7/9 interchange to Kill turnoff for Maynooth will take.

Google maps.....Directions

MichealD

Apologies in advance for derailing thread.

Haven't been on this road since works began. Is the traffic moving fairly well, albeit slowly, in the mornings? Bringing daughter from Wexford to Maynooth Uni for an interview at 10.15am tomorrow and wondering how much longer the section from the M7/9 interchange to Kill turnoff for Maynooth will take.

Kevwoody

riddlinrussell wrote:

In that case could you provide your source for them being 9 months behind schedule? And the reason why there is such a delay, given that they have had excellent weather barring one week of snow?

He drives a truck delivering stone to the site, I doubt he's able to provide a reliable source, either he's winding us up or someone is winding him up.

Mantis Toboggan

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1032196127502651392?s=19

riddlinrussell

Cazale wrote: »

Heard from a good source that it is actually 3 years behind schedule.

I mean as with all projects in Ireland its about 30 years behind schedule but thats not the fault of the Contractor!