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Killaloe bypass, Shannon crossing & R494 Birdhill-Killaloe

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Comments

  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    O'Connell Quarries have the clip on the FB too.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/r/21opUbYcgy9G3Aut/



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    Outstanding video from Dronehawk showing the three elements of the project. Particularly good to see the bridge really taking shape.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭Pete_Cavan


    Footage from Sisk from July, works really progressing well;

    Also somewhat related, Tipp CoCo have submitted a Part 8 for Birdhill Active Travel Scheme, basically foot/cycle paths from the southern end of this project into Birdhill by getting rid of the central hatching;

    Birdhill Active Travel Scheme | Planning (localgov.ie)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,223 ✭✭✭Paddico


    Whats opening date?



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    7 posts above yours. Killaloe bypass during Q4, the bridge during Q1 2025 and the rest mid 2025.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 163 ✭✭ch20


    Short video from Electric Skyline Ltd on their work done at the killaloe bypass.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    The latest video update from Sisk/Clare CC has been posted.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    That bridge is really shaping up to be really quite handsome. Someone deserves a design award.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,053 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    The bridge from Ballina:

    Killaloe Bridge 6.jpg

    View from the Killaloe side:

    Killaloe Bridge 5.jpg Killaloe Bridge 4.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 791 ✭✭✭ricimaki


    DroneHawk September update. Bridge is coming along nicely



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 513 ✭✭✭getoutadodge


    Agree. I love the design…especially the blue trusses. Wonder who the lead architect/designer is?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,187 ✭✭✭Chris_5339762


    Theres such a phenomenon worldwide of building really ugly bridges - this one is really bucking the trend.

    The scene at 20sec could well be of one of the 19th century bridges over the Thames.



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,429 Mod ✭✭✭✭spacetweek


    Egads you’re right - it’s gorgeous. Top quality scheme.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,166 ✭✭✭✭callaway92


    Looks great.

    As someone who has to do the Limerick to Killaloe (and beyond into Tuamgraney drive reguarly, I am so so so bored of the roadworks now. Can't wait for the day they finish. Every light takes ages and to top it off then the roundabout the far side of Killaloe too to stick it right into you when you think you're clear of it all.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭dennyk


    Depending on where in Limerick you're starting from, you could take the R463 from there instead of the motorway and avoid all the works on the R494 at least.

    If you must take the motorway, taking the R445 from the Birdhill roundabout to the R496 will let you avoid the first really long traffic controlled stretch of the R494, but now that they've moved the second section to encompass the R494/R496 junction, you will still get stuck in that, unfortunately.



  • Moderators Posts: 52,084 ✭✭✭✭Delirium


    Notification of closure of R496 to facilitate construction of new roundabout on Ballina side of new bridge.

    Traffic to be diverted to Birdhill to travel via R494.

    "R-496-13 from Junction at Roolagh at R-494-0 for a 100m section

    Commencing from 08:00hrs on Monday 11 November 2024 to 18:00hrs Sunday 01 December 2024."

    https://www.mapalerter.ie/alert?ref=5569999AA55AC00028418DFB61013432

    Post edited by Delirium on

    If you can read this, you're too close!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,748 ✭✭✭veryangryman


    When does this open



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    I posted this earlier in this thread, during the summer:

    In an interview with Clare FM, Clare County Council Project Liaison Padraic Cullen gave the following timeline:

    • Bypass: Q4 2024
    • Bridge: Q1 2025
    • R494 (Ballina to Birdhill) opening and overall project completion: Mid 2025


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 163 ✭✭ch20


    The latest video update posted by Clare county council and Sisk



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,053 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Not bloody soon enough - the roadworks are an absolute PITA.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭dennyk


    It'll be worth the hassle in the end, though, I think, taking all of that traffic off the old bridge. (Would be amazing if they went through with some of those long-term plans to pedestrianize the bridge and surrounding areas, too, but I'm not holding my breath on that…)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    Bridge was designed by Kit Powell-Williams who sadly passed away in September. Though born in England he has a substantial body of work in Ireland. An appreciation of his life and work by his wife appears in today’s Irish Times.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,925 ✭✭✭ollaetta


    Excuse my supreme stupidity but how does the bypass open before the bridge is finished?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,622 ✭✭✭Mal-Adjusted


    You bypass killaloe and keep going towards ardnacrusha or O'Brien's bridge, or Scariff the other way. The new bridge is at the South end of the bypass and connects to it via a roundabout.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭Pete_Cavan


    In that context, the bypass is considered to be only that west of the river. You will be able to drive around the outside of the town but will have to continue to use the existing bridge until the new bridge opens.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    Fair question. There are three parts to the project which for convenience are sometimes (misleadingly) lumped together as “the bypass”

    Firstly the actual Killaloe town bypass which the two previous posters have described.
    Secondly the bridge which links with bypass to connect to the Ballina side (eastern bank of the river).
    And thirdly the much improved R494 which runs from the bridge to Birdhill



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    No video updates from Sisk or Dronehawk, but a text update on the project website:

    Current Update October 2024

    Progress over the summer months was good despite the unseasonally wet weather that was experienced. A number of critical Project Milestones and Deliverables have been achieved recently, most notably:- Completion of Deck Pours to main bridge, opening up of 1.5 km of new carriageway to two lanes of traffic from Birdhill, opening up of two lanes of traffic on the new carriageway from Larkins Shop back to Roolagh Junction (approx. 650m), Pavement Wearing Course laid on Killaloe Bypass from Shantraud Roundabout to start of descent from Cutting down to Kincora Roundabout.

    IN THIS PAGE

    Shannon Bridge Crossing

    Bridge

    Concrete pours are complete. Waterproofing complete. Sand asphalt laid. Drainage complete. Concreting to Shared facility well advanced. Public lights installed. Pedestrian Guard rails installed. Kentledge slabs complete. Road construction activities commenced on Eastern and Western Embankments. Concrete and painting snagging well advanced.

    R494

    Section 1: Accom. Wks. to properties around Roolagh Junction are well advanced. Masonry to eastern abutment in progress. Pump Station testing and commissioning in progress. Drainage and utility installation completed on North Bound Lane. Kerb installation to North Bound Lane commenced. Note: Short-term programme is to have R494 northbound lane of proposed roundabout open to traffic by 10th November.

    Sections 2/3: Both lanes open to traffic. Accom. Wks. and Finishing Wks. nearing completion.

    Section 4: Culvert outside Larkins Garage installed. Waterproofing in progress. Culvert outside Technopath installed. Waterproofing in progress.

    Section 5: Traffic now moved over to southbound lane of new carriageway. Box-cut road construction activity in progress on northbound lane. 1st half of culvert at Chainage 1725m installed on southbound lane.

    Section 6/7: Both lanes open. Finishing Work continues on verge and shared facility etc. Accom. Wks. nearing completion.

    CIE/IE Railway Bridge

    Snagging in progress.

    Kilmastulla Bridge

    Snagging in progress.

    Shannonside Business Park

    Retaining wall constructed. VRS installed. Boundary wall to access ramp in progress.

    Killaloe Bypass & Shannon Bridge Link

    West Embankment to Clarisford: Walls to embankment in progress. Drainage being installed. Road construction activities to embankment commenced.

    Clarisford to Shantraud: Pavement binder layer laid from Shantraud to junction with Clarisford Road. Accom. Wks. nearing completion. Fencing works being completed.

    Shantraud Roundabout to Creeveroe Road: Pavement wearing course laid on roundabout and bypass. Finishing works in progress.

    Creeveroe Road to Hill Road: Pavement wearing course laid. Finishing works in progress.

    Hill Road to Kincora Roundabout: Pavement wearing course laid as far as top of cutting. Pavement binder layer laid from top of cutting to Kincora Roundabout. Completion of 2-way cycle track and pedestrian footpath outstanding.

    Kincora: Accom. Works to CPO 101 progressing well. Drainage completed except for the offline section of culvert to CPO 101. Pavement wearing course currently being laid.

    Note:

    The R494 will be closed to through-traffic during the evenings and nights of Tuesday 29th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 to facilitate the laying of the pavement wearing course for the first 1.5 kilometres of the upgraded road from Birdhill. Through-traffic will be diverted via the R496. These works will be carried out during the evening and nights to minimise disruption and inconvenience to local residents and business owners in particular. Please be advised, this section of road will revert to being open to two lanes of traffic during normal daytime hours.

    Please note that there is a planned closure of the R496 from 11th November to 1st December 2024. This is to enable the necessary earthworks, drainage and services installation, Accom. Wks. and road construction activities be completed and will accelerate the construction and delivery of Roolagh Roundabout.

    Temporary Traffic Management remains in place at Roolagh Junction and from Larkin’s Garage to Chainage 1750m. The R496 remains a viable alternative route. We would appeal to motorists to plan their journeys in advance and expect some minor delays.

    All vessel operators are requested to pay attention to navigational buoys in the vicinity (upstream & downstream) of the works zone and to give a wide berth to marine plant associated with the works. We further request that all vessels proceed with extreme caution if in the vicinity of the works zone. 

    Project Temporary Traffic Management arrangements can also be found on the Map Alerter app. 

    The Sisk Emergency Site Contact Number (out of hours) is: 087-6414583 should there be any issues that require attention.

    Clare County Council greatly appreciates the ongoing support and co-operation from all members of the public who are impacted by the works. We acknowledge and apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to assure you that we are endeavouring to do everything possible to minimise disruption and delays.

    https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/capital-projects/roads-and-bridges/killaloe-bypass-shannon-bridge-crossing/update/



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭dennyk


    Drove the R494 today; the road surface is pretty much done all the way from the Birdhill roundabout to the first traffic management point south of Larkins. Final layer of tarmac seems to be in place now, and the footpath/cycle path is just about there as well. The bit from Larkins to the R496 junction is definitely still a work in progress, though.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Some nice footage of the bridge from DroneHawk. It looks to be pretty close to completion.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 918 ✭✭✭pajoguy




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