New motorway signs up already...

BluntGuy · 02-08-2009 08:58PM

Well all I know is that those flap-style signs are wrong. I mean, you could argue that since the roundabout isn't under motorway regulations and the motorway actually ends BEFORE the junction with the roundabout (so the roundabout is an N8/N25 junction southbound rather than an M8/N25 junction), it's correct. But the fact it's on a mainline means it should be blue with green patching (or even just blue since there's technically a junction of sorts before the N25/N8 junction).

As for the sign icdg pointed out, it's horrible. It should all be blue, or should all be patched, not an awkward mix of the two.

Seems to me the NRA have tried to do the minimum here, which is dissappointing because (this excluded) the new signage on all routes that has been posted here has been excellent.

And WHEN are the NRA going to get their act together when it comes to emergency phone provision?

Tech3 · 02-08-2009 09:46PM

M20 J3 ADS 1km. Alot better than the previous green signage that was there it must be said.

Zoney · 03-08-2009 08:45AM

There was a separate white sign with Raheen Industrial Estate etc. on it so I'm guessing this replaces that one too. The H for the Midwest Regional hospital seems a bit squeezed in though. Also unlike the other destinations it's not reached by the R510, but rather the R526 (even though one is on the R510 between Dell and Loughmore roundabouts).

mackerski · 03-08-2009 09:55AM

nordydan wrote: »

Still no signs up on the redeisgnated N3 section. Came down that way yesterday

That piece of N3 is going to be a bit of a problem - because until they have tied the northern end into the new construction as far as Pace interchange, It will be tricky for them to have a consistently signed southbound route.

Northbound seems OK, they can easily turn that blue from Clonee exit to where the old road joins at Loughsallagh. Southbound you'd have to commence the regulations at the northern Clonee exit - The problem is that _any_ signs they would erect to inform of this would be sub-optimal. For instance, the existing fork sign will, in the long term, need to be replaced with an all-blue version. But today, prohibited traffic has to be allowed transit over this section of what is to become motorway - in fact, by the letter of the redesignation, it will become secret (I'm guessing) motorway from the 28th, as Pace is nowhere near completion.

Carawaystick · 03-08-2009 08:55PM

icdg wrote: »

Nice to see Limerick getting its first motorways.

Limerick's had a motorway since the M8 was designated between Cahir and Mitchelstown..... but no signs in Co. Limerick.....

The sign on the N8 approaching Dunkettle hasn't been changed yet, It's still as it was pre-redesignetion isn't it?
I think the changable signs are a much better idea than the non changable signs that direct port traffic from the M11 around the M50 to the the first Variable sign near Tallaght or somewhere.....

G_R · 03-08-2009 09:52PM

i saw in a few of the pics that it says "N8" on the road in some places. Do ye reckon they will get round to changing these to M

Amtmann · 03-08-2009 10:07PM

They *should* do this when the delineation starts.

icdg · 03-08-2009 10:08PM

mackerski wrote: »

That piece of N3 is going to be a bit of a problem - because until they have tied the northern end into the new construction as far as Pace interchange, It will be tricky for them to have a consistently signed southbound route.

Northbound seems OK, they can easily turn that blue from Clonee exit to where the old road joins at Loughsallagh. Southbound you'd have to commence the regulations at the northern Clonee exit - The problem is that _any_ signs they would erect to inform of this would be sub-optimal. For instance, the existing fork sign will, in the long term, need to be replaced with an all-blue version. But today, prohibited traffic has to be allowed transit over this section of what is to become motorway - in fact, by the letter of the redesignation, it will become secret (I'm guessing) motorway from the 28th, as Pace is nowhere near completion.

In any case, if they do redesignate it on the ground, it will mean all of 2 ADSs being replaced on the northbound carriage. The piece of road open in question is VERY short - less than 2km.

jd · 03-08-2009 10:22PM

Was on n11 today, they were removing the cats eyes on the Gorey by-pass, presumably so they could re-paint the carriageway markings. On the way back to Dublin (I was coming from Courtown), I noticed that the new (blue) sign at the Inch (J22) junction also indicated Gorey (North)

Amtmann · 03-08-2009 11:02PM

^^ That's the delineation underway so. Excellent. Given that the re-signing happened virtually simultaneously across the country, so too should the delineation. It's a quick process anyway.

BluntGuy · 04-08-2009 08:19AM

Furet wrote: »

They *should* do this when the delineation starts.

Considering that when the Watergrasshill Bypass became part of the Fermoy Bypass M8 section they didn't bother, I wouldn't be so hopeful.

Besides, judging by the mess at J14, the burn marks would look awful and you probably wouldn't be able to see the "M8" anyway, it would just look like a smudgey white paint spillage.

You're probably better off waiting for the traffic to clear and then getting a white piece of chalk and slapping on the the extra lines required to make an "M" from "N" yourself.

04-08-2009 09:49AM

BluntGuy wrote: »

Considering that when the Watergrasshill Bypass became part of the Fermoy Bypass M8 section they didn't bother, I wouldn't be so hopeful.

Besides, judging by the mess at J14, the burn marks would look awful and you probably wouldn't be able to see the "M8" anyway, it would just look like a smudgey white paint spillage.

You're probably better off waiting for the traffic to clear and then getting a white piece of chalk and slapping on the the extra lines required to make an "M" from "N" yourself.

It would make more sense if the new markings were placed at a slightly different location, just before or after, rather than directly on top of the burn marks.

BluntGuy · 04-08-2009 10:06AM

Deleted User wrote: »

It would make more sense if the new markings were placed at a slightly different location, just before or after, rather than directly on top of the burn marks.

The NRA aren't quite that imaginative I'm afraid.

You'll either get the messy situation I described above, or they'll put down new "M8" markings and leave the old ones.

One things for sure though, it won't be done right!

Because even at the best of times, the NRA has to find one little way to screw it up. :mad:

Chris_533976 · 05-08-2009 02:14PM

Well the bad news is that they've patched the dodgy gantries east of Dunkettle with M8s. Those things need replacing. They also havent done the other flap signs. Will see if I can get pics later.

The N25 is in a shocking state, its covered in 2 foot high weeds and most of the signs are obscured. On the other hand, the two roundabouts at the Cobh exit are absolutely immaculate, being maintained by Millipore. There was even someone with a chisel knocking earth and weeds off the kerbstones the other day.

BluntGuy · 05-08-2009 02:45PM

Chris_533976 wrote: »

Well the bad news is that they've patched the dodgy gantries east of Dunkettle with M8s. Those things need replacing. They also havent done the other flap signs. Will see if I can get pics later.

Which gantries are you referring to. The ones on the N8 approaching Dunkettle from the city centre?

Chris_533976 · 05-08-2009 03:06PM

The ones approaching from the east just after Little Island and before the tunnel, where its 'one sign per lane' and repitition across lanes.

BrianD · 05-08-2009 03:23PM

mackerski wrote: »

That piece of N3 is going to be a bit of a problem - because until they have tied the northern end into the new construction as far as Pace interchange, It will be tricky for them to have a consistently signed southbound route.

Northbound seems OK, they can easily turn that blue from Clonee exit to where the old road joins at Loughsallagh. Southbound you'd have to commence the regulations at the northern Clonee exit - The problem is that _any_ signs they would erect to inform of this would be sub-optimal. For instance, the existing fork sign will, in the long term, need to be replaced with an all-blue version. But today, prohibited traffic has to be allowed transit over this section of what is to become motorway - in fact, by the letter of the redesignation, it will become secret (I'm guessing) motorway from the 28th, as Pace is nowhere near completion.

I presume that even though it is redesignated a motorway that the local authority/NRA can delay the implementation of the order.

It would be very foolish of them to redesignate 1km or road for the sake of it particularly as it is so close to major roadworks.

BluntGuy · 05-08-2009 03:24PM

Chris_533976 wrote: »

The ones approaching from the east just after Little Island and before the tunnel, where its 'one sign per lane' and repitition across lanes.

Atrocious.

So a half-assed patching job is all we're getting?

nordydan · 07-08-2009 05:14PM

Took a trip down the N11(M11), only the southernmost section between Arklow South and the terminus south of Gorey has been resigned, although nearly all the other poles are in place.
All of the cats eyes in this section moved to allow the lines to be painted.

Part 1 southbound:

nordydan · 07-08-2009 05:15PM

Part 2 southbound:

nordydan · 07-08-2009 05:16PM

Part 1 Northbound again:

nordydan · 07-08-2009 05:17PM

Part 2 Northbound :

nordydan · 07-08-2009 05:18PM

Part 3 Northbound:

Zoney · 07-08-2009 05:45PM

Signs going up on M20 southbound today, as well as a lot of roundabout signs off the junctions - including all the way onto the R526 at Ballycummin (roundabout for R510 link road to M20 spur and industrial estate back entrance). There was one erroneous blue arrow sign off that roundabout - it should have been white with blue patch for M20 (the roundabout exit leads onto R510, not M20). Didn't entirely notice if the error was compounded by motorway chopsticks but I think they weren't on it.

loyatemu · 07-08-2009 10:43PM

alright roadsign geeks - whats the protocol for having destinations in brackets.? On one of the M11 signs above, Wicklow is in brackets but Arklow is not.

Now in the past this was obvious, the old N11 went through Arklow, but not through Wicklow. But the new motorways don't actually go through any towns and in this case you have to turn off the motorway to get to either destination...

mackerski · 07-08-2009 11:25PM

BrianD wrote: »

I presume that even though it is redesignated a motorway that the local authority/NRA can delay the implementation of the order.

I can't see how - what makes it a motorway is the minister declaring it to be one and he is doing so with effect on the 28th of the month. Rather practically, this will change the speed limit to 120km/h unless the council passes a bye-law or works limit to negate the motorway default.

Wild Bill · 07-08-2009 11:58PM

Great stuff from a bus! I well understand not telling anyone in real life about road fetishes! I drove all the way to Ballinsloe and back last week just to see the new bit of M6! btw; M50 to Ballinasloe in 1 hour 15 minutes - amazing, without exceeding the speed limit. (OK, maybe on the Athlone bypass).

icdg · 08-08-2009 10:16AM

loyatemu wrote: »

alright roadsign geeks - whats the protocol for having destinations in brackets.? On one of the M11 signs above, Wicklow is in brackets but Arklow is not.

Now in the past this was obvious, the old N11 went through Arklow, but not through Wicklow. But the new motorways don't actually go through any towns and in this case you have to turn off the motorway to get to either destination...

For all-purpose roads the protocol (and this applies really to route confirmation signs only and not other directional signs) is that destinations which can be reached directly by the route number in question are not bracketed, destinations which can be reached by other routes are bracketed.

With motorways it is a bit different obviously, but the same principle applies usually. So take on the M4. You can directly reach Kinnegad from the M4 (even though it is not *on*) the M4, but to get to Kilbeggan, you need to take the M6. So on an M4 RCS, Kilbeggan should be bracketed but Kinnegad should not.

ardmacha · 08-08-2009 11:17AM

This features the "truss" type post. This is also on the M1, is it used for these large signs everywhere?

Chris_533976 · 08-08-2009 12:20PM

They seem to be a new style and have appeared also on the newly reclassified parts of the M8.

New motorway signs up already...

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