A1 - Newry Bypass Dual Carriageway (NOW OPEN)

Mayo Exile · 25-10-2007 4:06pm #1

The Roads Service of NI now has a route map on its site for the new A1 Newry Bypass DC. It will generally follow the line of the current two lane bypass starting at the Cloghoge roundabout until it reaches the Camlough Road junction. Then it heads north on a new route until swinging back to join the current A1 at the Sheepbridge junction. It also bypasses the piece of DC that currently exists just north of Newry. Completion date is projected for late 2009.

Link: http://roadimprovements.roadsni.gov.uk/beech_hill_to_cloghogue.pdf

Steviemak · 25-10-2007 7:21pm

Can anyone tell me what the traffic is usually like on a Friday evening at the Cloghoge roundabout. Thinking of going to Derry via Newry and Armagh instead of Monaghan and I would be interested in knowing if there would be any time savings??

Ham'nd'egger · 25-10-2007 8:14pm

Steviemak wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what the traffic is usually like on a Friday evening at the Cloghoge roundabout. Thinking of going to Derry via Newry and Armagh instead of Monaghan and I would be interested in knowing if there would be any time savings??

The last time I travelled past Newry at Rush-Hour, it was quite slow. You have the advantage of not having to pass through all the roundabouts. You may get caught in Armagh as well but it's worth a go.

spacetweek · 28-10-2007 7:26pm

Announced a route? - I thought they'd already started building this??

ardmacha · 29-10-2007 2:06pm

Work has started, the recent documents don't so much clarify the overall route as some of the detail of the junctions etc.

Mayo Exile · 29-10-2007 10:19pm

This map only appeared in the last 2 or 3 weeks. Before that all they had up were the route selection leaflets which have been there a long time.

nordydan · 10-11-2007 5:46pm

I drove up the road again today and couldn't help but notice that the travelling community have taken a liking to the new road. Work was going on today. Does anyone know whether tey will be operating on the new Newry bypass 7 days a week?

Bluetonic · 10-11-2007 6:33pm

nordydan wrote: »

I drove up the road again today and couldn't help but notice that the travelling community have taken a liking to the new road.

Oh it's open? That was quick. I guess thats the UK for you.:D

nordydan · 10-11-2007 7:47pm

Bluetonic wrote: »

Oh it's open? That was quick. I guess thats the UK for you.:D

Are you calling the travellers Brits?? Oh I'll tell them that on the way back down the road. They'll tarmac your garden...

murphaph · 10-11-2007 11:31pm

nordydan wrote: »

Are you calling the travellers Brits?? Oh I'll tell them that on the way back down the road. They'll tarmac your garden...

........rolling up in a brit reg "Motorway Maintenance" Ford Cargo flatbed tipper to do the job "for chape boss".

cargo · 11-11-2007 11:26am

I think the "Open Road" referred to here by Nordydan is the section from Dundalk up to the Cloghoge roundabout. The new bypass of the old bypass!! is only in construction at the moment.

Mayo Exile · 26-02-2008 2:58pm

There's an update (13 Feb) on Wesley Johnston's site about this scheme. It seems archaeological sites have been uncovered along the route and no work has been done since December. The contractor is talking with the Environment & Heritage Service as to what to do next. Local politicians are very unhappy!

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

amacachi · 26-02-2008 3:37pm

Heh, classic.

spacetweek · 27-02-2008 11:45pm

amacachi wrote: »

Heh, classic.

It's the North's version of the M3!

Mayo Exile · 07-03-2008 11:22am

Another update (3 March) on Wesley Johnston's site about the scheme. The cost for the project has increased from £109 million in 2006 to £152 million now. Rises in land value highlighted as one of the reasons.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

Mayo Exile · 29-04-2008 2:18pm

Another update from Wesley Johnston's site (14 April). Work under way again after February's delays.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

Mayo Exile · 07-05-2008 4:49pm

Another update from Wesley Johnston's site (5 May). He is wondering if the completion date is going to be Jan/Feb 2010 or Dec 2010?

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

RadioCity · 09-05-2008 12:07am

News from the DRD site telling of an ingenious plan to remove some rock....

Rock excavations, by blasting, on the A1 at Cloghogue are to start next week (Monday 12 May).
This work will cause some traffic disruption as there are strict security and safety procedures associated with rock excavation by blasting, particularly related to the transportation, placing and firing of explosive charges.

The main concentration of work will primarily be around Cloghogue Junction and blasting operations will take place up to three times a week (on Monday, Wednesday or Friday) for up to 12 months.

During each blast it is expected that traffic will be stopped on all approaches to Cloghogue Roundabout for approximately 20 minutes. Roads Service and its contractor, Amey Lagan Roads Limited would like to thank in advance all roads users affected by this work for their patience and understanding and to ask people to leave more time for their journeys.

Variable message signs will be in place advising that the blast and the expected 20 minute road closure will take place at a time between 11:00 and 15:00. This range of time is necessary to facilitate the range of security and safety procedures which must be observed although it is important to note the road will not be closed from 11:00 to 15:00.

One of the main factors dictating the time of each blast is the timetable of the Belfast to Dublin train. It is most likely for the blast and the expected 20 minute road closure to be at some point between 13:30 and 14:30.

Immediately following the blast two teams of workers will inspect the closed section of road and remove any rock debris and reopen the road to traffic as quickly as possible.

Roads Service highlight that the proposed system is the only practical one given the quantity and characteristics of the rock. The process has been successfully employed on the A1 – N1 Newry to Dundalk dual carriageway scheme.

The contract project team met with the District Council last December and explained disruption would be an inevitable consequence of this operation for traffic on each approach to Cloghogue Roundabout while the charge is fired.

There is nevertheless a financial incentive on the Contractor to minimise this disruption particularly if the closure period exceeds 30 minutes.

Queries relating to the Blasting Operations should be directed to the main construction site offices at Beechill Newry, Tel: 028 30313300.

loyatemu · 09-05-2008 10:11am

I'm sure there's plenty of people in the area with experience of "blasting" who might be persuaded to help out - could speed things up a bit.

Chris_533976 · 09-05-2008 5:32pm

loyatemu wrote: »

I'm sure there's plenty of people in the area with experience of "blasting" who might be persuaded to help out - could speed things up a bit.

Mayo Exile · 06-11-2008 2:14am

Updated piece from Wesley Johnston's site (21st Oct). Discusses the possibility of a late 2010 finish of the scheme.

According to an Assembly written answer from 17 Oct, completion of the scheme is now due in "late 2010". Prior to the commencement of the project (in 2005) the duration of the scheme was estimated at two years. When the contract was signed, and work was about to begin, this was revised to "30 to 36 months". The current estimated completion of "late 2010" is at the upper end of this timescale window. Work on rock blasting at Cloghogue has been ongoing now for several months. Due to the proximity of the A1, this has involved closing the A1 for twenty minutes at a time for each blast, which usually occur once or twice per week.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

ipodrocker · 09-11-2008 12:30am

does this project link up with the current M1 Dublin to Belfast to the A1 so we would have Motorway/DC from Dublin to Belfast (via Belfast's M1)

L1011 · 09-11-2008 6:21am

ipodrocker wrote: »

does this project link up with the current M1 Dublin to Belfast to the A1 so we would have Motorway/DC from Dublin to Belfast (via Belfast's M1)

Yes.

There will still be two major roundabouts (and two minor ones) at Hillsborough and Sprucefield (major and two minor) though. Theres longterm plans to sort these out with proper freeflows though.

They're also closing the median on the older, poorer quality sections of DC on the A1 over the next year or so, so the remaining 60 zones may go, as well as much of the danger of driving that route.

amacachi · 09-11-2008 6:28am

MYOB wrote: »

Yes.

There will still be two major roundabouts (and two minor ones) at Hillsborough and Sprucefield (major and two minor) though. Theres longterm plans to sort these out with proper freeflows though.

They're also closing the median on the older, poorer quality sections of DC on the A1 over the next year or so, so the remaining 60 zones may go, as well as much of the danger of driving that route.

The A1/M1 interchange is nothing but an absolute joke.

Mayo Exile · 21-11-2008 1:57am

Nice new leaflet (in PDF format) on the Roads NI site on this bypass, illustrating the layouts of the new junctions.

Link: http://applications.drdni.gov.uk/publications/document.asp?docid=14394

Also another leaflet available showing the layouts of the 4 new junctions at Hillsborough, Dromore, Banbridge and Loughbrickland.

Link: http://applications.drdni.gov.uk/publications/document.asp?docid=14395

spacetweek · 21-11-2008 9:20pm

amacachi wrote: »

The A1/M1 interchange is nothing but an absolute joke.

Totally true, but there's another plan to bypass that.

Lennoxschips · 22-11-2008 7:45pm

Interesting site. I see sections of the upgraded A1 DC has right turn interchanges. Insanity.

Mayo Exile · 13-02-2009 12:57am

Another update from the Wesley Johnston site (15 January). Some pictures of bridges under construction at the northern end of the scheme.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

Mayo Exile · 15-05-2009 10:06pm

February and May updates from the Wesley Johnston site. Further pictures of bridges under construction. Also he says the blasting operations are due to end soon.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

amacachi · 15-05-2009 10:13pm

Junction at Cloghouge seems to be taking shape at the moment. Wish I'd gotten some before photos a while back, there's some serious rock moving-out-of-the-way going on.

Mayo Exile · 15-05-2009 10:20pm

I think I heard a figure of a million plus tons were taken out so far!

Typewriter · 15-05-2009 10:41pm

Some recent photos on this site...

http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/5835

Mayo Exile · 10-09-2009 12:13am

Wesley Johnston's site updated on 8 September. New pictures there. The flyover at the Cloghogue roundabout seems well advanced.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

amacachi · 10-09-2009 12:21am

Was down that way a few weeks ago and they've made great progress. Really starting to take shape now.

Victor · 16-09-2009 2:41am

Moved to Infrastructure.

Mayo Exile · 08-10-2009 11:37pm

Updated piece (1 October) on Wesley Johnston's site wondering whether the southern end of the bypass may open first to tie in with the official opening of the new Newry railway station. Originally the scheme was to open as a single project I believe.

Link: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

EDIT: Also a piece from the Newry Recorder.

Last week Roads Minister Conor Murphy told Newry and Mourne Council that Cloughoge junction, at the far end of the bypass project could open before Christmas.

Link: http://www.newryreporter.com/news/viewdetails.asp?ID=805

serfboard · 09-10-2009 4:12pm

Newry Reporter wrote:

Last week Roads Minister Conor Murphy told Newry and Mourne Council that Cloughoge junction, at the far end of the bypass project could open before Christmas.

Great news for all the Southerners doing their Christmas shopping!

nordydan · 09-10-2009 8:28pm

serfboard wrote: »

Great news for all the Southerners doing their Christmas shopping!

Very possible this.
Drove up today, a lot of the tarmac is down at this junction, with the northbound carriageway north of this junction complete for a few km.
Also the northbound carriageway of the link between the northernmost junction (Sheepbridge) of this scheme and the existing A1 at Beech Hill has been complete, with both carriageways also complete for a few hundred metres north of the Sheepbridge junction. Taking shape :cool:

D'Peoples Voice · 19-10-2009 12:30pm

in time for christmas shopping at Banbridge?

Section of Newry by-pass opens
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Section-of-Newry-bypass-opens.5700421.jp

Published Date: 03 October 2009
THE completion of the A1 Newry by-pass has moved a step closer as traffic was allowed on to a third of the road for the first time.
Contractor Laganferrovial said completion of the road remains on track, and said it could even open in full ahead of schedule next year.

The company said as of Tuesday, significant progress had been made along the new Newry by-pass and upgrades of the Banbridge and Hillsborough junctions - three months ahead of schedule.

A spokesperson for Laganferrovial added that, while traffic management arrangements will remain in place, traffic will operate in contra-flow along approximately one third of the new road.

It is now hoped motorists will travel along the A1 through these grade separated junctions where right-turns have been removed to reduce the likelihood of accidents and delays.

Bazzy · 19-10-2009 12:38pm

Was just up there the weekend

There certainly flying along with it the old road into newry with the average speed cameras on it is not used when coming in from banbridge.

I'd say a good bulk of it will be open before xmas

cargo · 19-10-2009 4:05pm

Any idea of when the upgrade to the Cloghogue Roaundabout will open? (the first one you meet coming up from the south)

some more updates on Wesley's site as well

http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a1beechhillcloghogue.html

prettygurrly · 21-10-2009 8:22pm

Hi all,

doing the drogheda to belfast route 4 times a week and newry roundabouts are not the problem! hillsborough and that bloody westlink are the bits that hold me up. I do notice on the way home in the evening that there is a bit of Q to the first roundabout in newry that you meet from the south but its much the same coming from the north.

if i leave home at 6.45 i'm in belfast by 8.15 but if I leave at 7.15 I dont get parked till 9.15.

leave at 9.30 I'm in by 10.45.

just thought I'd throw a few times in there. average speed 75 to 80 mph, except around all the roundabouts and a few Qs.

Mayo Exile · 11-11-2009 11:29pm

According to this piece in the Newry Democrat the flyover at the Cloghogue roundabout section of the scheme will be temporarily opened for the month of December to ease the expected influx of Xmas shoppers from the south into Newry.

Link: http://www.newrydemocrat.com/tabId/281/itemId/6471/pageId/2/Roundabout-way-to-ease-traffic-jam.aspx

Roundabout way to ease traffic jam
Last Updated Oct 2009
THE new flyover at Cloghogue roundabout will be temporarily opened in December to help ease expected traffic congestion in Newry in the run-up to Christmas.
The Department of Regional Development confirmed that the flyover - which is part of the new motorway - will be open from the start of December up until Christmas.

The news will come as a relief to residents of the Dublin Road area, as well as workers commuting into the city on a daily basis.

It was reported last year that the tailbacks on the Dublin Road stretched as far as five miles due to high volumes of Southern shoppers coming into the city.

Now it is hoped congestion in the city will be eased considerably with the temporary opening of the fly-over.

"Minister Murphy, speaking at a special meeting of the A1 Beechill to Cloghogue scheme liaison committee, confirmed that he has asked Roads Service to consult with the contractor about opening the new Cloghogue flyover junction to accommodate Christmas traffic and he advised that it is anticipated that this new flyover will be made available to traffic in the first week in December," a DRD spokesperson said.

However, DRD added that the flyover junction will be closed again after Christmas to facilitate ongoing works on rock cutting north of Cloghogue.

Welcoming the announcement, Orla Jackson, CEO of Newry Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to hear this news. It will ease congestion issues within the city centre and will ensure that people that are either bypassing the city or driving into the city centre will reach their destination much quicker.

“It will also help residents living in the Dublin Road area who experienced difficulties last year due to the high volumes of traffic using the Dublin Road.”

The news will also come as a relief to residents in Cloghogue and the surrounding area who last year faced hour-long waits to get in and out of Newry.

Chris_533976 · 12-11-2009 7:01pm

Good news, a bit of common sense for a change.

nordydan · 01-12-2009 8:02pm

Some photos have been posted here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=47101583&postcount=111

cargo · 01-12-2009 9:38pm

any actual date for the temporary opening of the Cloghogue flyover yet?

Nuttzz · 01-12-2009 9:51pm

Went past it today it was fully lined both sides from what i could see travelling south to north, with signs in place as well

Amtmann · 02-12-2009 3:19pm

Pics courtesy of GrubyNH on Skyscrapercity:

^^Bridge over Newry River and Tandragee Road A27^^

^^Carnbane Junction^^

^^Bridge over Bessbrook River ^^

Amtmann · 02-12-2009 3:20pm

^^Craigmore Viaduct^^

^^Camlough Road Junction^^

Steviemak · 02-12-2009 7:08pm

Who signed off on this sign - i thought we in the south were bad. Can you spot the mistake?

Its interesting that signage is in place so early as its late 2010 for this to open - it would be brilliant if it opened sooner

spuddy · 02-12-2009 9:42pm

Steviemak wrote: »

Who signed off on this sign - i thought we in the south were bad. Can you spot the mistake?

Somebody's going to be mighty ticked off when they spot that!

A1 - Newry Bypass Dual Carriageway (NOW OPEN)

Comments