N25/N30 - New Ross Bypass [open to traffic]

The barrow crossing 19/01/20

webpal

Azatadine wrote: »

Loads and loads of people walking it today!

Was on en route to the greenway and saw loads of cars parked near Glenmore, is this ok to do? might go for a run next week there.

prunudo

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Futureproofing for future widening.

Must be a first time in Ireland to be planning for future upgrades! Given that its already 2 lanes each way, wonder what they've got in mind.

Surprised they're so lax about people walking on it. Especially after how strict they seemed to have been on the Enniscorthy bypass.

The barrow crossing 18/01/20

NedNew2

prunudo wrote: »

Surprised they're so lax about people walking on it. Especially after how strict they seemed to have been on the Enniscorthy bypass.

There was security on the Wexford side preventing anyone from walking on the bridge. There were plenty of people there to view it but weren't allowed on it.

BelfastVanMan

prunudo wrote: »

Must be a first time in Ireland to be planning for future upgrades! Given that its already 2 lanes each way, wonder what they've got in mind.

Surprised they're so lax about people walking on it. Especially after how strict they seemed to have been on the Enniscorthy bypass.

It's so they can put a flyover over the top of the roundabout to continue the HQDC to the Waterford Bypass. (Waterford to Glenmore)

Chris_5339762

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Futureproofing for future widening.

Doubt it, the bridge is 2+2 with no hard shoulder so you can't widen. Interesting though, not sure why thats there.

chooseusername

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Doubt it, the bridge is 2+2 with no hard shoulder so you can't widen. Interesting though, not sure why thats there.

Maybe to allow two lanes on the roundabout slip lane in the future?

allthedoyles

There is also what looks like a lay-by area right at the start of the bridge KK side.
Was a 40' trailer parked in it today ,give you an idea of its size.

The barrow crossing 19/01/20 (pics fb)

^^^^ Who left the teleporter on the bridge ruining a perfect pic?

blackwhite

webpal wrote: »

Was on en route to the greenway and saw loads of cars parked near Glenmore, is this ok to do? might go for a run next week there.

Passed it around 11am yesterday and saw similar, however when I passed coming back around 4pm there was security there stopping anyone else from going on.

sideswipe

blindsider wrote: »

I tried last night at around midnight and couldn't book. Ah well.....:(

Reserve list open with some talk of a second event because of demand-

https://visitnewross.ie/local/28000/new-bridge-charity-walk-reserve-list/?fbclid=IwAR0WfNelvt1bAD9589OF43ESQZTxkx_bdZ7jav5UTdM2KwR87A1gIby4fqc

road_high

Would people in Cork really use this route in any numbers to Dublin vs the M8 or even M9? I came back up from Cork on the N25 and M9 and think it's a pain in the arse really. Lots of dawdlers at 70 kmh and traffic through Castlemartyr. Good 90 mins just to Waterford alone- how far up the M8 towards Dublin would you be? Probably at least as far as Portlaoise or so? Nice for a change but can't see it becoming a huge alternative. N25 west of Waterford just isn't good enough I think.

It's a viable option from all of east Cork to anywhere south of Dundrum a lot of times I think. You'll cover a lot more distance at 70 on the N25 than at 15 on the M50.

nordydan

josip wrote: »

It's a viable option from all of east Cork to anywhere south of Dundrum a lot of times I think. You'll cover a lot more distance at 70 on the N25 than at 15 on the M50.

I live in Shankill and at 4:30pm it is recommending going the M11 route to Midleton. With no trafic M7 about 25 min quicker

With the bridge opening Cork will be quicker via M11 during busy times.

With the bridge built I'd say east cork M11, rest of Cork M7 (no traffic).

The barrow crossing (pics fb)

There might be an announcement for a 2nd walk on Saturday.
Keep an eye on eventbrite.ie if you want to go but didn't register in time for the Sunday walk.

Harry Palmr

Is there are particular rehabilitation plan for the ground in and around the structure?

Wexford People today, The Barrow Bridge due to open

Taoiseach and members of Kennedy family to get traffic rolling on bypass

Wexford People21 Jan 2020

By DAVID LOOBY

The new bridge is named in memory of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, pictured here with her son, President John F Kennedy, at a Kennedy Foundation Awards Banquet in Washington in 1962.

THE Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge and New Ross Bypass will finally open to drivers at noon on Thursday, January 30.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will officially open the bridge on Wednesday, January 29, at 3.30 p.m. and members of the Kennedy family are travelling from America to attend the ceremony.

The 887 metre structure named the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy bridge - which crosses the river Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny - forms part of upgrades to the €230 million New Ross bypass.

Dunganstown, near New Ross, is the ancestral home of assassinated US President John F Kennedy, with the bridge – which is reputed to have cost €233m to build – being named after his mother Rose, whose ancestors hailed from Bruff, Co Limerick. President Kennedy was the first Irish Catholic elected to the position.

A Wexford County Council spokesperson confirmed that at least one, if not more, of the Kennedy clan will be attending the opening.

‘We had hoped that the former US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith would be able to attend as she is the last surviving child of Joe and Rose Kennedy. However, it is understood that she is too frail. But we have been assured that one or others are aiming to come along as it is a significant event for them.’

Speculation is mounting that it will be either Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the only surviving child of the late President or cousin and grandson of the late Attorney General Robert Kennedy who was also assassinated, Congressman Joe Kennedy III. The council spokesperson would not confirm or deny these reports.

The last time a notable visit by the famous Kennedy clan was in 2013 when the lighting of the Emigrant Flame was carried out by Kennedy Schlossberg.

Fianna Fáil councillor and General Election candidate for the area, Michael Sheehan, confirmed that the council has invited a list of dignitaries to the prestigious and historical opening with many travelling to the event from abroad. ‘There are some notable names due to attend and we will welcome members of the Kennedy family to the official opening.’

Cllr Sheehan pointed out that the bridge will have huge benefits for the area which has been in the doldrums due to high unemployment figures and lack of business investment in the south east region.

‘I’ve been informed that final details on the bridge opening are being put together. All of the work on this massive bridge is complete which is seven times the size of a hurling pitch,’ said Cllr Sheehan.

‘The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge is the longest bridge in Ireland, and its two main spans are the longest post-tensioned concrete spans of their type in the world. There will be reduced congestion in New Ross town and improvements to the quality of life of people living in the area. Tailbacks in and out of the town stretch to up to five kilometres daily. Now there is a potential for economic growth due to inward investment along with opportunities for the development of the New Ross, new tourism and recreation initiatives. It provides a chance for a clean break from the area’s industrial past and legacy of Albatros, (defunct fertiliser plant on 55 acres of land on the outskirts of New Ross) rural decline and to reboot the town.’

The bridge, which has been beset by several delays, was due to open, along with the bypass, in early 2019. In the summer crumbling concrete was detected at one of the supporting piers for the structure and was thought to have been caused by voids within one of the 11 piers which occurred during the high-pressure blasting of concrete during construction.

An Italian man working on the bridge from South Kilkenny to New Ross received serious injuries after an accident on the bridge last November.

Cllr Sheehan said the opening of the scheme means that chronic traffic congestion and tailbacks in New Ross will be a thing of the past, particularly during peak times, with travel time savings of up to 30 minutes.

This will provide significant efficiencies on the strategic N25 route from Cork to Rosslare Europort while also supporting the future growth and sustainability of New Ross Town and the south east region. The scheme also links the N25 route with the N30 New Ross to Enniscorthy route.

The project is a public-private partnership (PPP) with a joint venture of BAM Civil Construction and Spanish builder Dragados responsible for construction.

It has been delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Contract between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the PPP Company, consisting of BAM PPP, PGGM Infrastructure Coöperatie U.A. and Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras S.A.

On average, a workforce of 300 people was employed throughout construction and approximately 2.5 million work hours were completed on site to bring the scheme to fruition.

Project works include over 14km of new dual carriageway comprising the N25 and N30 National Primary Routes, one kilometre of new single carriageway comprising the N30 national primary route and three new at-grade roundabout junctions creating connections between the new mainline and the existing N25 and N30 at Glenmore, Ballymacar and Corcoran’s Cross.

The bypass road has been completed for several months and some significant works remain to be completed on the bridge prior to the road being opened with further works expected to continue once it opens.

A schedule of inspections, audits and certifications also need to be closed out before the project can open to traffic once approved by Transport Infrastructure Ireland officials.

m17 wrote: »

The barrow crossing (pics fb)

Is there a kink in the bridge? Looks really like it in those pictures by David Butler

sideswipe wrote: »

Reserve list open with some talk of a second event because of demand-

https://visitnewross.ie/local/28000/new-bridge-charity-walk-reserve-list/?fbclid=IwAR0WfNelvt1bAD9589OF43ESQZTxkx_bdZ7jav5UTdM2KwR87A1gIby4fqc

From New Ross Standard today -

Bridge walk sells out in the space of a day

New Ross Standard
21 Jan 2020

TICKETS for a community walk event taking place this Sunday on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge sold out within hours of the public being made aware online – leaving some people across the district furious as they were unaware of the event.
Wexford County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Kilkenny County Council announced on Friday night online that people throughout the south east region were invited to join them in a charity 5K walk or run on the new N25 New Ross Bypass to raise funds for New Ross Community Hospital, Kilkenny Home Care and Special Olympics Ireland.
The online entry fee was €10 for adults and over 12s, while under 12s go free and around 1,000 tickets were sold.
This is the only opportunity people will have to walk the iconic 887m structure as once it is opened on Thursday, January 30, at noon, there is no path for foot passengers.
Walkers and joggers of all abilities were encouraged to sign up ‘as soon as possible for what promises to be a fun day out’.
Wexford County Council spokesperson David Minogue said: ‘ The event will provide an opportunity for the public to walk across this magnificent record-breaking structure before it opens to traffic, while also raising money for very worthy causes.’
The walk starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday and is being hosted in collaboration with the project PPP Company (Bam/Iridium), the project contractors ‘New Ross Joint Venture’ (BAM/Dragados), and with the support of St. Joseph’s and United Striders Athletics Clubs.
Registration for the event was through Facebook and as numbers were limited many people who do not use Facebook were not able to register and missed out on getting a ticket. It is understood issues surrounding parking and marshalling more than 1,000 people led to the limit being imposed. The event will start on the bypass at Stokestown on the County Wexford side of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, and participants will cross the bridge into Co Kilkenny before returning over the bridge back to the start point. All access to the event will be via the R733 road from New Ross town to Arthurstown, and parking will be provided at the event site.
Directions and traffic marshalling will also be provided on the day to assist drivers.
‘Registration for the event is limited and unfortunately registrations cannot be accepted on the day. All participants should bring their record of registration with them on the day, and arrive at the event in good time and as advised,’ Mr Minogue said.
‘ The event is being organised as a ‘zero waste event’ to promote and encourage a reduction in both overall waste and the use of single-use plastic products, and participants are encouraged to bring sustainably produced refreshments where possible. A small digital goodie bag will be circulated to all participants via email after the event, which will include a certificate of participation and a souvenir video clip of the event.’
Sean Dobbs, who is Wexford County Council’s Project Liaison Officer for the New Ross Bypass, said: ‘ The people of the New Ross area and the south east region have waited patiently to see this much needed project come to fruition. This event provides a not-to-be-missed opportunity for the community to walk along the scheme and over the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge prior to opening and celebrate this iconic piece of infrastructure, while also raising money for very worthy causes. We would like to thank all of our event partners for their co-operation and assistance and all those organisers and volunteers without whom charity events like this would not be possible.’

vicwatson wrote: »

Is there a kink in the bridge? Looks really like it in those pictures by David Butler

Yes, we've seen that on pics for the last 18 months.
It lessened a bit after they raised one of the spans but it's still visible, especially when lit.
I'm surprised that it's so noticeable but obviously its only an aesthetic issue and has no bearing on the bridge structure.
It would be interesting to know if it was included in the original design.