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M50 upgrade - Phase II

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    #152
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    spacetweek wrote: »
    Aagh, but how am I supposed to splurge on stylish furniture now??

    I have a Celtic Tiger itch that needs scratching...

    I heard today, its still going to open on that date


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    #153
    Ice_Box
    Closed Accounts Posts: 569 ✭✭✭Ice_Box


    http://www.independent.ie/national-news/roadway-hitch-threatens-to--scupper-ikea-store-opening-1766406.html

    Roadway hitch threatens to scupper IKEA store opening

    FEARS are growing that a new IKEA store -- which will employ 500 people -- will not be able to open on time next month.

    The Swedish furniture shop cannot open for business until routes around its north Dublin site are upgraded, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) admitted yesterday it would be a "surprise" if the work was completed by the July 27 opening date.

    The off-ramps from the M50 near the Ballymun interchange of the M50 are still under construction, with substantial road works yet to be completed around the massive store -- despite the looming six-week deadline.

    However, Fingal County Council, which is responsible for ensuring the network is complete, said yesterday it was confident the works would be completed to allow the store open next month.

    Only "minor matters" remained to be addressed, it insisted.

    IKEA was not available for comment yesterday, but has previously criticised the delay in completing the roads.

    It claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.

    Despite intensive lobbying by IKEA to speed up works, the NRA has repeatedly said its timetable for the works would not be changed to facilitate the company.

    An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the 30,500 square metre store in June 2007, but on condition it could only open when upgrading works on the motorway and construction of local roads were complete.

    Concerns

    Yesterday, a spokesman for the NRA said it had concerns about the road network.

    "Hopefully, this will come to fruition, but the NRA is still concerned about the traffic impacts," he said.

    "It would be a pleasant surprise if it was ready by July. The contractor is not obliged to have works completed on that section until December this year."

    Informed sources have said the network is unlikely to be finished until September or October, which will also result in delays in 500 people taking up employment. It would take a "concerted effort" to get works complete by July, the source added.

    However, a Fingal County Council statement said: "We are satisfied that substantial compliance with planning conditions is complete or nearing completion and that road/traffic improvement works in the vicinity of the IKEA site in Ballymun, required by condition under the planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanala, will be completed at the time of IKEA opening.

    "Minor outstanding matters are the subject of current and ongoing discussions with the relevant parties and are progressing satisfactorily.

    "We envisage all required works will be completed by the IKEA opening date."

    IKEA opened its first Irish store in Belfast in December 2007 and has said it would consider opening a third branch in Ireland, depending on the success of the Dublin and Belfast outlets.

    - Paul Melia


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    #154
    serfboard
    Registered Users Posts: 4,676 ✭✭✭serfboard


    Irish Independent wrote:
    [IKEA] claims it has lost tens of millions of euro in lost sales, adding that the store was finished last November.

    OK, so ask IKEA if they're willing to lob in a couple o' extra mill to pay for overtime for the workers. If it's enough, I'm sure they'd work 24/7.

    Otherwise, cut the moaning BS. They were given permission subject to the road being finished. The road is not finished. End of.


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    #155
    Heroditas
    Registered Users Posts: 9,442 ✭✭✭Heroditas


    Quick question regarding the work on the N3 interchange - from the pictures it looks like the existing Castleknock roundabout will be replaced with a traffic lights controlled crossroads? :confused:

    Surely that will cause tailbacks on the off-ramps for the M50 and these could end up backing onto the M50 itself. It could end up very similar to the mess we have in Palmerstown every morning but closer to the M50.

    Going outbound in the evening, it should help congestion a bit (that roundabout is a menace) but we get this massive freeflow interchange built with a traffic light guarding one of the main entry/exit points to it - very similar to the traffic lights at Turnpike Road near the Red Cow interchange.

    Am I looking at the pictures right? I hope not. :(


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    #156
    davebuck
    Registered Users Posts: 239 ✭✭davebuck


    Quote
    Otherwise, cut the moaning BS. They were given permission subject to the road being finished. The road is not finished. End of.

    I think you'll find when planning and the date was agreed the NRA gave it the okay for the end of July for Ikea to open.You should really check the Facts first!!!


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    #157
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    Heroditas wrote: »
    Quick question regarding the work on the N3 interchange - from the pictures it looks like the existing Castleknock roundabout will be replaced with a traffic lights controlled crossroads? :confused:/QUOTE]

    Ye, that's the plan, making it a full light junction and remove the roundabout.
    Not sure if you have seen, there is a thread just for the N3 junction if your interested: N3-M50 interchange


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    #158
    Heroditas
    Registered Users Posts: 9,442 ✭✭✭Heroditas


    Davy wrote: »

    Ye, that's the plan, making it a full light junction and remove the roundabout.
    Not sure if you have seen, there is a thread just for the N3 junction if your interested: N3-M50 interchange

    Thanks a million. :)


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    #159
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Heroditas wrote: »
    Quick question regarding the work on the N3 interchange - from the pictures it looks like the existing Castleknock roundabout will be replaced with a traffic lights controlled crossroads? :confused:

    Surprising as it may seem, a traffic light controlled crossroads has a higher throughput of traffic at peak times than a roundabout. Obviously causes more delays off peak as you wait for the light to go green.


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    #160
    Heroditas
    Registered Users Posts: 9,442 ✭✭✭Heroditas


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    Surprising as it may seem, a traffic light controlled crossroads has a higher throughput of traffic at peak times than a roundabout. Obviously causes more delays off peak as you wait for the light to go green.


    Well certainly anything is better than the traffic-controlled roundabout monstrosity that is currently there. However, this is exaccerbated by the traffic lights about 50m further up at the M50 interchange.
    Anyway, can't wait until it's finished.


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    #161
    spacetweek
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,963 Mod ✭✭✭✭spacetweek


    Heroditas wrote: »
    Well certainly anything is better than the traffic-controlled roundabout monstrosity that is currently there. However, this is exacerbated by the traffic lights about 50m further up at the M50 interchange.
    Anyway, can't wait until it's finished.
    Not sure why you think the Castleknock roundabout will cause problems. The main traffic movements in this area are between the M50 and the new N3 section. The area where the Castleknock roundabout is currently located will only be taking N3/M50 to Blanch Village traffic, which I'm sure is a small minority.

    The upgrade isn't perfect, but the road, rail and canal layout in this area is very complex and it's hard to shoehorn the new roads in. I think they've done a good job. The only reservation I have is that the new N3 section bypassing the roundabout freeflows west, but not east. The canal is in the way though.


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    #162
    mysterious
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,133 ✭✭✭mysterious


    spacetweek wrote: »
    Not sure why you think the Castleknock roundabout will cause problems. The main traffic movements in this area are between the M50 and the new N3 section. The area where the Castleknock roundabout is currently located will only be taking N3/M50 to Blanch Village traffic, which I'm sure is a small minority.

    The upgrade isn't perfect, but the road, rail and canal layout in this area is very complex and it's hard to shoehorn the new roads in. I think they've done a good job. The only reservation I have is that the new N3 section bypassing the roundabout freeflows west, but not east. The canal is in the way though.

    Blame the corrupt T.Ds and developers for making the sprawl around this interchange, and now an expensive upgrade to build around the mess.


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    #163
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    There's 2 layers of tarmac down on the ramp from the M1S to the bridge over the N32 which will loop across to the M50 westbound.

    There is also load of work going on on the M1S between the Airport junction and the M50 junction, seems to be an extra lane going in in the median.
    Dunno if they are going to add an extra lane here Northbound too, to make the merge from the M50 smoother, instead of the sharp, short merging lane at present.


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    #164
    cargo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,215 ✭✭✭cargo


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    ...

    There is also load of work going on on the M1S between the Airport junction and the M50 junction, seems to be an extra lane going in in the median.
    Dunno if they are going to add an extra lane here Northbound too, to make the merge from the M50 smoother, instead of the sharp, short merging lane at present.

    Yeah anything that can help here at the merge North towards the airport can only help even if is is just adding another aux lane from the slip or another main carraigeway lane. At least it'll add a few more holes to try slot into :)


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    #165
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    The last piece on the New 'M50 northbound' bridge that will take you into the tunnel was put in last week. Finishes off the bridge seen in Post 141


    completedbridgeoverm1ne.jpg

    Best thing about the pic is the sky today :)


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    #166
    serfboard
    Registered Users Posts: 4,676 ✭✭✭serfboard


    davebuck wrote: »
    Quote
    Otherwise, cut the moaning BS. They were given permission subject to the road being finished. The road is not finished. End of.

    I think you'll find when planning and the date was agreed the NRA gave it the okay for the end of July for Ikea to open.You should really check the Facts first!!!

    You will find that IKEA was given planning permission subject to conditions such as:
    Prior to the first occupation or use of the proposed development for trading, the following improvements to the Ballymun Interchange shall have been fully completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority

    et al.


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    #167
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    this planning authority wasn't fingal county council was it? the people who obviously told ikea the work'd be done to their satisfaction by their announced opening date.....


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    #168
    cargo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,215 ✭✭✭cargo


    Supports for new gantries at along the M50 mainline towards the M50 - M1 junction been installed currently. They had a crane getting ready to lift there last night and there was a few already up around the place.

    It's only stubs at the minute but I'd imaine they are for overhead signage.


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    #169
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    cargo wrote: »
    Supports for new gantries at along the M50 mainline towards the M50 - M1 junction been installed currently. They had a crane getting ready to lift there last night and there was a few already up around the place.

    It's only stubs at the minute but I'd imaine they are for overhead signage.

    Ye, thats right. They had a fill truck load of them, and dropping 2 off every so often. The lads on the M1 interchange are doing a good job in my opinion, where the guys on the main carriageways seem slow enough. their is a huge amount to do at finglas and barely anyone working at it. Ballymun junction is straight forward but still loads to do, and with ikea open in a month they should have more manpower i think, and loads of people looking for work that would love to get the chance


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    #170
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    the deck panels are almost all on on the overbridge across the M1 at the M1/M50 junction, there were a few gaps, but it was just the steel beams yesterday.


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    #171
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    28062009068.jpg

    this junction is really doing well, a lot has been done in the past few weeks. The majority of hte groundwork has been finished, like on the left of this picture, and behind the bridge is done.
    28062009069.jpg


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    #172
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Good god that slip is steep and tight. Look at it in comparison to the current one!


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    #173
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    Good god that slip is steep and tight. Look at it in comparison to the current one!
    Great "chicane" for budding racing drivers to test their skills out on. ;)


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    #174
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    Good god that slip is steep and tight. Look at it in comparison to the current one!

    I don't think it's close to as steep or tight as the M50-N4 slip though.


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    #175
    Chris_533976
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,082 ✭✭✭Chris_533976


    Could just be the photo but what sort of clearance is there? What height of load do you have before you smash into the bridge? A lot less than the mainline, thats for sure.


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    #176
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    Its really not as bad as it lucks, the photo makes it look worse.


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    #177
    Maldini2706
    Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭Maldini2706


    You can see the temporary ramp from the N3 to the M50 northbound now, it goes from Scott's r/b towards the N3 at the back of Total Fitness. Traffic from the N3 outbound will have to loop around Scott's r/b which will probably cause a fair amount of congestion for traffic in both directions on the approach to the r/b. It's due to open on July 13th and will remain in place until early December.


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    #178
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Chris_533976 wrote: »
    Could just be the photo but what sort of clearance is there? What height of load do you have before you smash into the bridge? A lot less than the mainline, thats for sure.

    The bridge height over the mainline is very high, there's a good ramp up to that bridge across the M1 from the start of the slip from M50 -> M1

    There's loads more room to play with here, there's no Gym or housing estate or tramline in the way.... ;)


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    #179
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    The bridge height over the mainline is very high, there's a good ramp up to that bridge across the M1 from the start of the slip from M50 -> M1

    So high in fact, that it's installation disrupted some microwave radio links between the airport and north Dublin telco sites.


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    #180
    Davy
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    Maldini2706 wrote: »
    You can see the temporary ramp from the N3 to the M50 northbound now, it goes from Scott's r/b towards the N3 at the back of Total Fitness. Traffic from the N3 outbound will have to loop around Scott's r/b which will probably cause a fair amount of congestion for traffic in both directions on the approach to the r/b. It's due to open on July 13th and will remain in place until early December.

    You might be interested in the N3 junction thread:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055395842

    And yes its from july 13th till dec 4th. Coming from from trim direction it will be fine, the problem will be coming from city going northbound, a U-turn around the roundabout will be required to access the slip


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    #181
    Maldini2706
    Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭Maldini2706


    Yes but the increase in traffic using the r/b will surely have an impact on traffic coming from the N3inbound as well. They'll have to augment the lights to prevent meltdown on the N3 outbound which will in turn take time away from the N 3 inbound.


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