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

Darc19 · 27-03-2021 6:51pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

This looks odd (very minor I know)

Shouldn't it be either one lane, or two with a line between?

I've seen that on some roundabouts. The urlingford junction on m8 definitely has the identical markings without a dividing line.

_Kaiser_ · 27-03-2021 7:18pm

What's more annoying is the same roundabout has 3 different versions...

- The one called out above
- two approach lanes marked
- Single approach lane

Make up yer mind FFS!

Pete_Cavan · 27-03-2021 10:04pm

From the width of the road at that point, it looks to me like they put in an extra triangle incorrectly rather than forgot the dividing line.

jmkennedyie · 27-03-2021 11:16pm

The new Clane roundabout has the lanes lined differently to the other roundabouts on the scheme. Rather than two purely circular lanes circling the roundabout, the left lane is lined out the next exit, and the right lane then crosses left to exit at the following exit.

Anyone seen this technique elsewhere? Fine if people in the left lane take their next exit, but not so pretty if they want exit+1. I hope approach signage is clear.

27-03-2021 11:40pm

jmkennedyie wrote: »

The new Clane roundabout has the lanes lined differently to the other roundabouts on the scheme. Rather than two purely circular lanes circling the roundabout, the left lane is lined out the next exit, and the right lane then crosses left to exit at the following exit.

Anyone seen this technique elsewhere? Fine if people in the left lane take their next exit, but not so pretty if they want exit+1. I hope approach signage is clear.

That is a very common method in the UK and most EU countries, helps to enforce lane discipline.

_Kaiser_ · 27-03-2021 11:53pm

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

From the width of the road at that point, it looks to me like they put in an extra triangle incorrectly rather than forgot the dividing line.

Also looks to me that the 2 lanes in the bottom of the picture are different sizes, but maybe that's just the angle

Darc19 · 28-03-2021 1:06am

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

What's more annoying is the same roundabout has 3 different versions...

- The one called out above
- two approach lanes marked
- Single approach lane

Make up yer mind FFS!

<snip> Mod: No snarky comments.

_Kaiser_ · 28-03-2021 1:25am

Darc19 wrote: »

Frankly they should have just employed you to design and build it as you are a phenomenal expert and seem to know everything about road construction judging by your posts

Every criticism of this project (and not just by me) has been met with replies like the above by yourself, as though it's some sort of personal slight.

So come on.. in what way are you connected with this project then?

28-03-2021 2:24am

Darc19 wrote: »

<Snip>

It's a really dumb roundabout, you don't need to be an expert to see how.

Why is it two lanes? It makes no sense and just causes several areas where traffic is potentially crossing each other when attempting to exit.

JohnC. · 28-03-2021 9:18am

jmkennedyie wrote: »

The new Clane roundabout has the lanes lined differently to the other roundabouts on the scheme. Rather than two purely circular lanes circling the roundabout, the left lane is lined out the next exit, and the right lane then crosses left to exit at the following exit.

Anyone seen this technique elsewhere? Fine if people in the left lane take their next exit, but not so pretty if they want exit+1. I hope approach signage is clear.

The Grannagh Junction Roundabout approaching Waterford does this. Of course, half the people using it have no lane discipline, so people are just meandering over and back across lines as if they weren't there.

I'd post a satellite image, but both Google and Bing aerial images of this junction are quite bad.

BelfastVanMan · 28-03-2021 9:38am

JohnC. wrote: »

The Grannagh Junction Roundabout approaching Waterford does this. Of course, half the people using it have no lane discipline, so people are just meandering over and back across lines as if they weren't there.

I'd post a satellite image, but both Google and Bing aerial images of this junction are quite bad.

The Comber Road roundabout on the A20 Newtownards ring road was recently modified to a similar setup.

It has actually improved the flow of traffic considerably.

BuzzFish · 28-03-2021 1:47pm

jmkennedyie wrote: »

The new Clane roundabout has the lanes lined differently to the other roundabouts on the scheme. Rather than two purely circular lanes circling the roundabout, the left lane is lined out the next exit, and the right lane then crosses left to exit at the following exit.

Anyone seen this technique elsewhere? Fine if people in the left lane take their next exit, but not so pretty if they want exit+1. I hope approach signage is clear.

Same on the Kerry Group roundabout

regedit · 29-03-2021 9:28pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Every criticism of this project (and not just by me) has been met with replies like the above by yourself, as though it's some sort of personal slight.

So come on.. in what way are you connected with this project then?

The question has been asked before and he (Darc19) has never responded. So, clearly he has vested interests!
He aggressively seeks credentials from anyone who questions the delay while never offering a glimpse of his qualifications

Sam Russell · 29-03-2021 11:28pm

Mod: Can ye stop the snarking. Speculating on posters identity is against he charter, but so is snarking.

Give it a rest.

Hotblack Desiato · 30-03-2021 1:07pm

jmkennedyie wrote: »

Anyone seen this technique elsewhere? Fine if people in the left lane take their next exit, but not so pretty if they want exit+1. I hope approach signage is clear.

It's a turbo roundabout.

This one has 3 arms, so (ignoring u-turns, if allowed) there are only two possible movements from each entrance, and two lanes at each entrance, so there should be no conflict.

BuzzFish · 30-03-2021 1:40pm

https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/621003/new-sallins-bypass-is-set-for-a-soft-opening.html

Darc19 · 30-03-2021 4:16pm

If you look at the roundabout that is causing palpitations to some people, it actually makes sense.

On the approach at the bottom, I'd would guess that 50/60% of vehicles are heading straight (1st exit), 40/50% are probably taking 2nd exit. (Effectively turning right)

From the opposite side, traffic has probably been calculated as much lower.(obvious), so a wide two lane exit is not required but you will have some vehicles slowing to go left (into sallins I assume) so a double yield (as they have used on other roundabouts for years) makes sense for the vehicles who may move to the right of the left turning vehicle.

Quite sensible if you think about it.

But too many people jump on something without thinking and throw ridiculous assertions about.

Example, left lane of m7 was said to be uneven. It was pointed out that the left lane simply was resurfaced and it suddenly was lane three.
Or mid construction of the roundabout on Jct 10, a poster saying it was ridiculous that vehicles would have to drive to bundle of sticks roundabout to go to Newbridge.

But the best was a couple of weeks ago when a poster said that the half completed signs probably won't be finished - you could almost hear the disappointment when they signs were completed.

Where siac colas failed miserably was in how they communicated with the public. If they simply had a monthly blog every month, people would have been more understanding and the social media "experts" (who also seem to be covid experts too) would have had less to moan about.

champchamp · 30-03-2021 5:36pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/621003/new-sallins-bypass-is-set-for-a-soft-opening.html

Does a "soft opening" mean I can drive it from next week? I've been driving the Kill-Straffan road for the last 18 years, can't wait to get off it...

Golden Horde · 30-03-2021 8:27pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

This looks odd (very minor I know)

Shouldn't it be either one lane, or two with a line between?

Was up for a walk this evening.....lines now drawn on the road at this junction between the two triangles.

Darc19 · 31-03-2021 6:37am

Golden Horde wrote: »

Was up for a walk this evening.....lines now drawn on the road at this junction between the two triangles.

Some people are going to be terribly disappointed with that, but I'm sure they'll find something else to find fault with

Mantis Toboggan · 31-03-2021 7:23am

Golden Horde wrote: »

Was up for a walk this evening.....lines now drawn on the road at this junction between the two triangles.

Surprised that didn't take a few weeks

Pete_Cavan · 31-03-2021 8:40am

Darc19 wrote: »

Some people are going to be terribly disappointed with that, but I'm sure they'll find something else to find fault with

I'd say it is more likely those who tried to claim those markings were correct will be terribly disappointed if that is now proven to not be the case.

Darc19 · 31-03-2021 9:39am

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

I'd say it is more likely those who tried to claim those markings were correct will be terribly disappointed if that is now proven to not be the case.

Not at all, I said that such markings are in place elsewhere, so could be valid.

If you want to check it's the urlingford junction of the M8 on the approach from urlingford.

But certain posters continually make assumptions that XY and Z is not done only to find that they are commenting on works in progress and not the finished works.

The mid construction comments about the roundabout on Jct 10 not being a roundabout was the funniest of them all.

At the end of the day, communication from the project was appalling and this festered the "catastrophe" comments from people because they didn't have much knowledge of the project

BuzzFish · 31-03-2021 11:23am

Darc19 wrote: »

Not at all, I said that such markings are in place elsewhere, so could be valid.

If you want to check it's the urlingford junction of the M8 on the approach from urlingford.

But certain posters continually make assumptions that XY and Z is not done only to find that they are commenting on works in progress and not the finished works.

The mid construction comments about the roundabout on Jct 10 not being a roundabout was the funniest of them all.

At the end of the day, communication from the project was appalling and this festered the "catastrophe" comments from people because they didn't have much knowledge of the project

Tell the truth Darc.... ye told the lads to fix it when ye got to site the other day after we pointed it out? I think you really appreciate our feedback :pac:

Darc19 · 31-03-2021 4:56pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

Tell the truth Darc.... ye told the lads to fix it when ye got to site the other day after we pointed it out? I think you really appreciate our feedback :pac:

Terrible trouble trying to explain it to them and had to translate the comments into Polish

But we got there in the end with a bit of masking tape and masonry paint - sure it will do

traco · 01-04-2021 8:12am

Drove down the ring road this morning. Looks like a fair bit of tidying up to be done on it yet.

I would guess at this stage it won't open until Tuesday/Wednesday at the earliest. Can't see them getting everything sorted and also being a bank holiday weekend with everyone off I doubt that they will take an risk in case there is an issue or problem.

MYSTICA1 · 06-04-2021 10:16am

https://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/PressReleasesAdverts/TemporaryRoadClosure-NoticeofIntention-L1102-MillbankRoad.html

cargo · 06-04-2021 12:24pm

MYSTICA1 wrote: »

https://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/PressReleasesAdverts/TemporaryRoadClosure-NoticeofIntention-L1102-MillbankRoad.html

Well that's confirmation that the Sallins bypass will be open before 4th May as it's listed in that notice as an alternative route....

Now anyone got any closer dates?

riggersmark · 06-04-2021 12:56pm

cargo wrote: »

Well that's confirmation that the Sallins bypass will be open before 4th May as it's listed in that notice as an alternative route....

Now anyone got any closer dates?

I would imagine its getting very close as they have removed some of the black bag coverings that have been covering up the exit 9a signs for months.

fullstop · 06-04-2021 6:59pm

MYSTICA1 wrote: »

However ....

Irish Motorway Info website says the following. (I have no idea how reliable or otherwise this website is!)

The long suffering new M7 junction 9A is to open at the end of March. This piece of infrastructure has been repeatedly delayed and it's fair to say at this stage that we will believe it when we see it. Recently some work had to be redone to address deficiencies. Note that the Sallins bypass will not open at that time; for now the junction will only facilitate access to north Naas.

Another opening date comes and goes for J9a and still no movement.

MYSTICA1 · 06-04-2021 6:59pm

This article seems to suggest the bypass is already open! Can anyone local confirm?
https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2021/04/06/soft-opening-for-sallins-bypass/?fbclid=IwAR0qwdGAWglHhzVCz_6EvFmqHdt5Y5PkPMooNOMSdQMGpTHIohM0wjdQqAA

Kevtherev1 · 06-04-2021 7:40pm

MYSTICA1 wrote: »

This article seems to suggest the bypass is already open! Can anyone local confirm?
https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2021/04/06/soft-opening-for-sallins-bypass/?fbclid=IwAR0qwdGAWglHhzVCz_6EvFmqHdt5Y5PkPMooNOMSdQMGpTHIohM0wjdQqAA

So somebody nearby go out in their car and drive it to confirm etc

MYSTICA1 · 06-04-2021 7:44pm

Kevtherev1 wrote: »

So somebody nearby go out in their car and drive it to confirm etc

There are people who post on this forum who can see it from their house. No need to be a smart ass.

riggersmark · 06-04-2021 8:34pm

I'll be passing by in the morning I'll let u all know if its not confirmed by then

MYSTICA1 · 06-04-2021 8:40pm

I have been told elsewhere that it is not, in fact, open this evening. Over-eager reporting by the politician and journalist again&#55357;&#56898;

fullstop · 06-04-2021 8:41pm

MYSTICA1 wrote: »

This article seems to suggest the bypass is already open! Can anyone local confirm?
https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2021/04/06/soft-opening-for-sallins-bypass/?fbclid=IwAR0qwdGAWglHhzVCz_6EvFmqHdt5Y5PkPMooNOMSdQMGpTHIohM0wjdQqAA

Page/article is gone, and no I don’t believe it’s open as 9a would have to be open and the barricades are still up.

BuzzFish · 06-04-2021 9:29pm

Not open. Passed Kerry Group at 7pm and junction all closed up. And traffic lights powered off.

Suprise surprise, Mr Clear jumps the gun again.

riggersmark · 07-04-2021 8:24am

9a junction still closed at 8am on Wednesday morning. Just passed and barriers are still up

riddlinrussell · 07-04-2021 11:42am

BuzzFish wrote: »

Not open. Passed Kerry Group at 7pm and junction all closed up. And traffic lights powered off.

Suprise surprise, Mr Clear jumps the gun again.

*snip*

To be fair to him on this one, he isn't quoted as saying its open, just about the upcoming millbank closure. Not that he hasn't jumped the gun before.

This seems like an over-eager reporter moreso.

It is opening very imminently, but yeah not yet.

riggersmark · 07-04-2021 3:16pm

Finally some official news. Exit 9a opening Friday Morning

Pete_Cavan · 07-04-2021 7:04pm

Do we know yet what road number the Sallins Bypass will have? It probably should have been a National Secondary and immediately look to extend it, bypassing Clane and joining the R408 east of Rathcoffey. Maybe even take in the R445 so that it would eventually run from Newbridge to Maynooth, it would be a relatively short National Secondary but traffic volumes and road standard could be well above many NSs.

riddlinrussell · 07-04-2021 7:15pm

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Do we know yet what road number the Sallins Bypass will have? It probably should have been a National Secondary and immediately look to extend it, bypassing Clane and joining the R408 east of Rathcoffey. Maybe even take in the R445 so that it would eventually run from Newbridge to Maynooth, it would be a relatively short National Secondary but traffic volumes and road standard could be well above many NSs.

According to the Kildare CC notification on the closure of Millbank road

ROAD TO BE CLOSED

Sallins Link Road (L1102)

(Millbank Road)

From (Junction with)

Roundabout on Sallins Bypass (R407)

To (Junction with)

Clane Rd (L3014)

So the current R407 (The road through Sallins) is becoming the L3014, the Bypass becomes the new R407 and the Sallins link road itself is the new L1102

jmkennedyie · 07-04-2021 8:31pm

Regarding extending northwards...there is a strategic reservation zoning just east of Clane to facilitate a long term Liffey crossing to Celbridge Road at least, but no route to Bodenstown reserved or earmarked...that will be an interesting alignment due to studs, farmlands, mature woodland, etc.

Sections of existing R407 Clane to Kilcock Road upgraded over recent years. Would be surprised if a different alignment veers in towards Rathcoffey...and R408 is a very basic road. Main commercial traffic appears to head to Kilcock and M4...lots of national distribution centres in the region for supermarket chains etc and more on the way...application for one North of Sallins IIRC.

Reservations exist for several short relief roads around Clane village...Celbridge/Kilcock expected to start construction soon, others years out if ever.

Finally, for what it is worth the Leinster Outer Orbital Route is a long term national primary road route reservation west of Clane from Newbridge/Naas to Trim/Navan as I recall and over to Drogheda.

Pete_Cavan · 07-04-2021 9:28pm

jmkennedyie wrote: »

Regarding extending northwards...there is a strategic reservation zoning just east of Clane to facilitate a long term Liffey crossing to Celbridge Road at least, but no route to Bodenstown reserved or earmarked...that will be an interesting alignment due to studs, farmlands, mature woodland, etc.

Sections of existing R407 Clane to Kilcock Road upgraded over recent years. Would be surprised if a different alignment veers in towards Rathcoffey...and R408 is a very basic road. Main commercial traffic appears to head to Kilcock and M4...lots of national distribution centres in the region for supermarket chains etc and more on the way...application for one North of Sallins IIRC.

Reservations exist for several short relief roads around Clane village...Celbridge/Kilcock expected to start construction soon, others years out if ever.

Finally, for what it is worth the Leinster Outer Orbital Route is a long term national primary road route reservation west of Clane from Newbridge/Naas to Trim/Navan as I recall and over to Drogheda.

Bodenstown Golf Course closed didn't it? Could be an option for part of an extension north.

The R408 would need upgrading but I was thinking in terms of potentially a new M4 junction to replace the existing substandard Maynooth junction.

The Outer Orbital Route has no formal reservation and I'm not sure that is even part of any current policy or strategy documents. It is unlikely to ever happen.

07-04-2021 10:22pm

The Leinster Orbital Route is not part of any plan or forecasts. It's not mentioned in any recent policy documents. It'll never happen IMO.

BelfastVanMan · 08-04-2021 9:59am

HabibiLibneni wrote: »

The Leinster Orbital Route is not part of any plan or forecasts. It's not mentioned in any recent policy documents. It'll never happen IMO.

Sadly, I agree with you.

KrisW1001 · 08-04-2021 11:01am

I always thought that the problem that the Leinster Outer Orbital has been put forward as a solution for is better solved by improving the National Secondary network outside Leinster, and the Regional route network in Kildare, Meath and Louth.

The further away from the M7/M9 junction you get, the more options there are on the National Secondary network to reach M1 without coming near to Dublin - it would be better to upgrade these than try to drive a new motorway through the most densely populated part of the country. Closer to Dublin, more 2+2 express routes (like this new bypass) around bottleneck towns in Leinster will give the Leinster-originated traffic a good alternative route across the province that doesn't involve the M50.

Golden Horde · 08-04-2021 11:52am

Wonder why the Sallins bypass is opening but the link road into Sallins isn't.

Seeing as Kildare Co Co have issued a closure notice for the road (Millbank part - with the new link road staying open) for 6 weeks in May-June, they obviously see it being opened by then - just not tomorrow...?

BelfastVanMan · 08-04-2021 12:27pm

Golden Horde wrote: »

Wonder why the Sallins bypass is opening but the link road into Sallins isn't.

Seeing as Kildare Co Co have issued a closure notice for the road (Millbank part - with the new link road staying open) for 6 weeks in May-June, they obviously see it being opened by then - just not tomorrow...?

The existing, i.e. the old part of the link road, closest to the town, still badly needs resurfaced.

Golden Horde · 08-04-2021 12:52pm

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

The existing, i.e. the old part of the link road, closest to the town, still badly needs resurfaced.

Seems strange though as the old part is in use anyways and we know they are closing it to re-surface and redo the paths next month.

I just don't get why the full link road won't open as part of the main scheme. It seems ready and is part of the solution for Millbank residents while the old part is being redone. So Kildare CoCo will have it open next month when the old part is closed - I suppose I'm wondering out loud why it's not ready to go tomorrow.

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

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