M9 motorway (general thread)

Amtmann · 17-09-2010 11:14pm #1

Pick up all M9 chat here.

ForestFire · 18-09-2010 12:02am

WooHoo first person on the newly open M9.........thread......:D

Now can we get keep the tractors off please..........And half in the hard shoulder is actually worse than just driving on the inside lane:mad:.......is he off..is he on...can I pass...probably...oh no he's out a bit...can I change lane....oh no Audi TT coming at pace:rolleyes:...will just have to squeeze:eek:...phew

tramor · 18-09-2010 8:18pm

ForestFire wrote: »

WooHoo first person on the newly open M9.........thread......:D

Now can we get keep the tractors off please..........And half in the hard shoulder is actually worse than just driving on the inside lane:mad:.......is he off..is he on...can I pass...probably...oh no he's out a bit...can I change lane....oh no Audi TT coming at pace:rolleyes:...will just have to squeeze:eek:...phew

I think you really should report those tractors to the cops. They will deal with it. I know it does take some effort on your part. I think this is another fine example of the wide spread Irish low level disregard for the law (except this is not that low level) that does not exist in Germany. Society runs better when citizens have a strong desire to obey the law as against have to have the law rammed down their throats. It's there for the common good. This law breaking is the "me feinism" (not sure of spelling) that is a blight on our country and effects us negatively in all sorts of ways. You can knock the Germans for their law abiding, but I for one would advocate more of it here.

looksee · 19-09-2010 1:12pm

This may have been said, but I couldn't find a thread. I drove from Tramore to Kilkenny city (and back) by the new motorway yesterday, and it took me 47 minutes door to door on a trip that used take an hour and twenty minutes. That's some improvement! Its also a quite scenic drive and a good deal easier than the old road, which was a chore to drive, especially at night. I turned off at Danesfort going up, but went on the new road coming back and it took exactly the same amount of time. The saving is negotiating Waterford and eliminating the tour of some of the less interesting south Kilkenny villages

Edit: oops, I couldn't find a thread because I was looking in the wrong place.

looksee · 19-09-2010 2:04pm

Now I have found the thread, like the tractor story above, coming back in the dark last night I saw three cars parked with no lights on the motorway hard shoulder, and one guy walking at a lighted junction.

slimjimmc · 19-09-2010 5:57pm

tramor wrote: »

I think you really should report those tractors to the cops. They will deal with it. I know it does take some effort on your part. I think this is another fine example of the wide spread Irish low level disregard for the law (except this is not that low level) that does not exist in Germany. Society runs better when citizens have a strong desire to obey the law as against have to have the law rammed down their throats. It's there for the common good. This law breaking is the "me feinism" (not sure of spelling) that is a blight on our country and effects us negatively in all sorts of ways. You can knock the Germans for their law abiding, but I for one would advocate more of it here.

Unfortunately Tramor, it's currently not illegal for a tractor to be on a motorway if it is normally capable of driving at 50kph of higher, which many do quite easily. The only thing the Gardaí can nail them for is driving on the hard shoulder which is an offence no matter what you drive. By the time you've reported it and a car sent out (if one is available) to drive 10k to the nearest junction to even get on the motorway, the tractor has probably pulled off at the next junction.

veryangryman · 20-09-2010 10:45am

slimjimmc wrote: »

Unfortunately Tramor, it's currently not illegal for a tractor to be on a motorway if it is normally capable of driving at 50kph of higher, which many do quite easily. The only thing the Gardaí can nail them for is driving on the hard shoulder which is an offence no matter what you drive. By the time you've reported it and a car sent out (if one is available) to drive 10k to the nearest junction to even get on the motorway, the tractor has probably pulled off at the next junction.

Could of course just take a picture of them and note their reg. *

The passenger of course...

road_high · 20-09-2010 11:18am

I love the M9

. Best thing to happen the South East ever! Dublin to Kilkenny used to be such a torturous trip a few short years ago.

mistermister · 20-09-2010 11:22am

A bit twisty and bendy. It was raining and had to slow down to 90 or 100. Didn't feel safe driving at 120.

Benimar · 20-09-2010 11:57am

Drove from Dublin to Waterford this morning. Not only is it so much quicker and safer, but its a far more comfortable drive. It's now I wonder how we managed to drive the old N9 without going totally insane!

I would echo some of the things others have said about the rules of the road and motorways. I passed two learner drivers (judging by their age, the 'L' plate was obviously for them) who obviously shouldn't be on the motorway.

Also, the trip would be easier if some people didn't regard the overtaking lane as their own personal fiefdom! I'd say my maximum speed was probably 125kph at any stage but was held up a few times by drivers in the overtaking lane who weren't overtaking, but just dawdling along at 80-90kph with nobody on the inside lane.

road_high · 20-09-2010 1:42pm

mistermister wrote: »

A bit twisty and bendy. It was raining and had to slow down to 90 or 100. Didn't feel safe driving at 120.

Of course if it was raining the logical thing is/was to slow down like you did. The M9 has some superb straight sections to be fair.

Bards · 20-09-2010 1:45pm

Got a response to my mail from Kilkenny Co Co on Friday with the opening Brochure as the link was broken and they were looking into it.

it now works

http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Services/Roads/Roads_Projects/N9-N10_Kilcullen_to_Waterford_Road_Scheme/M9_M10_Phase_4_Motorway_Scheme_Brochure_FINAL.pdf

wellbutty · 20-09-2010 2:25pm

Anyone that thinks the M9 is twisty needs to drive in Germany or France...the alignment and gradients of our new motorways are absolutely top class.

looksee · 20-09-2010 7:09pm

mistermister wrote: »

A bit twisty and bendy. It was raining and had to slow down to 90 or 100. Didn't feel safe driving at 120.

Well yes, drive at the speed you feel safe! I thought the slight bends were good though, they were just enough to keep you concentrating.

csd · 20-09-2010 11:14pm

Taken yesterday between heavy showers!

1. Start of the new section, south of Carlow.

2. Just after J6.

3. Overbridge.

4. 2km ADS for J7.

5. Fuel, dinner, and a round of golf. What more could you want?

6. Gantry for J7.

7. RCS after J7. Hard to believe that Waterford is less than half an hour from here now.

8. Another bridge.

9. 2km ADS for the new Kilkenny link road (N10).

10. 500m ADS. Northbound, the exit is also signed for Durrow.

11. Small sign, extra-long gantry arm. The N10 interchange is via a trumpet which goes below the M9 mainline.

12. 25 mins to Waterford from Kilkenny.

13. High bridge over a cutting south of Kilkenny.

14. Approaching the end of the newly-opened section. Apologies for the blur, but it was raining heavily and the light was poor.

15. J9 marks the end of the section opened two weeks ago.

veryangryman · 21-09-2010 11:05am

Great pics

Cant help but think that of all the 7 dwarfs to do the signage, Dopey drew the black egg.

All Kilkenny/Carlow signs dont have the "North" or "South" entry signs to indicate what part of town you would be approaching. Even the Tullamore bypass didnt make this mistake

NFD100 · 21-09-2010 5:00pm

Why are you so surprised? Ireland doesn't do signage very well. 'Ah sure it'll be grand, it'll do rightly.'

This the country that last produced a road sign manual in 1996 and can't even get the signs to fit poles or brackets half the time.

veryangryman · 21-09-2010 5:10pm

NFD100 wrote: »

Why are you so surprised? Ireland doesn't do signage very well. 'Ah sure it'll be grand, it'll do rightly.'

This the country that last produced a road sign manual in 1996 and can't even get the signs to fit poles or brackets half the time.

Im sure we do better than most countries of similar size overall, but yes the itll do attitude isnt good enough

slimjimmc · 21-09-2010 8:02pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Great pics

Cant help but think that of all the 7 dwarfs to do the signage, Dopey drew the black egg.

All Kilkenny/Carlow signs dont have the "North" or "South" entry signs to indicate what part of town you would be approaching. Even the Tullamore bypass didnt make this mistake

J4 is definitely marked "Carlow North" and I'm fairly sure J5 is marked "Carlow South", but as you can see J6 isn't marked as any side. Imo J5 should be Carlow East and J6 Carlow South, but you just gotta love the inconsistency.

murphaph · 21-09-2010 8:10pm

N10 not in brackets on numerous signs there too.

Makes my blood boil to see our money so easily wasted on incorrect signage.

bronstein · 21-09-2010 11:54pm

can't find decent map of new m9. does if end at waterford? wondering where best to leave it to get to dunmore east - coming from north-. can I bypass waterford city?

Bards · 21-09-2010 11:58pm

bronstein wrote: »

can't find decent map of new m9. does if end at waterford? wondering where best to leave it to get to dunmore east - coming from north-. can I bypass waterford city?

At the end of the Motorway take the 1st exit off the Roundabout (Quarry Roundabout)signposted Waterford/Cork/Rosslare

at the next Roundabout (Grannagh Junction) take the 3rd exit signposted N25 Cork (Waterford City Bypass - TOLL)

go over the bridge and pay the toll and take the next exit (Off Ramp) keep going straight through all the roundabout's (Approx 10) and follow the signs for Dunmore

wellboy76 · 22-09-2010 12:02am

Hey Bards,

Imagine trying to give them same directions a year ago!!!

Bards · 22-09-2010 7:48am

wellboy76 wrote: »

Hey Bards,

Imagine trying to give them same directions a year ago!!!

would be a bit more difficult - but manageable

But I know what you mean. For someone not familiar with the City, the Bypass & Western Link makes it really easy to get around, and now coupled with the Motorway Waterford is very accessible

bronstein · 22-09-2010 8:04am

thanks for directions. but will probably go thru the city as I resent paying tolls. should be quiet enough on weekend.

Sully · 23-09-2010 10:22am

bronstein wrote: »

thanks for directions. but will probably go thru the city as I resent paying tolls. should be quiet enough on weekend.

Waterford is pretty busy along the quays during the weekend!

ForestFire · 23-09-2010 5:41pm

bronstein wrote: »

thanks for directions. but will probably go thru the city as I resent paying tolls. should be quiet enough on weekend.

I agree bar rush hour I would never use the toll when I am going home to Tramore.

ForestFire · 23-09-2010 5:45pm

tramor wrote: »

I think you really should report those tractors to the cops. They will deal with it. I know it does take some effort on your part. I think this is another fine example of the wide spread Irish low level disregard for the law (except this is not that low level) that does not exist in Germany. Society runs better when citizens have a strong desire to obey the law as against have to have the law rammed down their throats. It's there for the common good. This law breaking is the "me feinism" (not sure of spelling) that is a blight on our country and effects us negatively in all sorts of ways. You can knock the Germans for their law abiding, but I for one would advocate more of it here.

Should I also report everytime I see someone Jay walking in Dublin

. Its against the law and can be quite dangerous too. I noticed a few times at busy pedestian crossings people go before green man, when there is a break in traffic, and others just follow not knowing its red and more cars are coming.

If something happens often enough I should not have to report it, the cops should be fully aware of it

Daysha · 23-09-2010 7:54pm

1hr 45 minutes from Waterford to DCU today. To make that same trip with Bus Eireann and then Dublin Bus can be as much as 4 hours long!

KevR · 24-09-2010 12:49am

I have only just seen this; not sure if it has been posted before but TV3 reporting from the emergency lane on the day that the final section of M9 opened :pac:

Bards · 24-09-2010 8:16am

much better coverage than what RTÉ (our National Broadcaster) showed

eyeball kid · 24-09-2010 1:28pm

How long would it take to get from Naas to Waterford city now that the entire motorway has been opened up? Have to be down there for 8:30 next Wednesday morning.

veryangryman · 24-09-2010 1:46pm

eyeball kid wrote: »

How long would it take to get from Naas to Waterford city now that the entire motorway has been opened up? Have to be down there for 8:30 next Wednesday morning.

From M7 just over an hour. From town centre... different story.

fricatus · 24-09-2010 1:48pm

eyeball kid wrote: »

How long would it take to get from Naas to Waterford city now that the entire motorway has been opened up? Have to be down there for 8:30 next Wednesday morning.

Probably just a little over an hour from Naas to the outskirts of Waterford, but you'll need to leave yourself some time to take account of traffic depending on where you're going. That's the worst time of the morning for traffic anywhere in the country.

If you want to post your exact destination, doubtless someone can advise a route and how long it will take.

eyeball kid · 24-09-2010 2:15pm

fricatus wrote: »

Probably just a little over an hour from Naas to the outskirts of Waterford, but you'll need to leave yourself some time to take account of traffic depending on where you're going. That's the worst time of the morning for traffic anywhere in the country.

If you want to post your exact destination, doubtless someone can advise a route and how long it will take.

Heading to the Kilcohan area. Is there any other way apart from going through the city?

Bards · 24-09-2010 2:49pm

eyeball kid wrote: »

Heading to the Kilcohan area. Is there any other way apart from going through the city?

At the end of the Motorway take the 1st exit off the Roundabout (Quarry Roundabout)signposted Waterford/Cork/Rosslare

at the next Roundabout (Grannagh Junction) take the 3rd exit signposted N25 Cork (Waterford City Bypass - TOLL)

go over the bridge and pay the toll and take the next exit (Off Ramp) keep going straight through all the roundabout's (Approx 8) until you come to one called Couse Bridge.

Take the 1st exit off this roundabout and you will be in the Kilcohan area

fricatus · 24-09-2010 3:20pm

eyeball kid wrote: »

Heading to the Kilcohan area. Is there any other way apart from going through the city?

Easy enough - just cross the new bridge (tolled), then take the Outer Ring Road (Waterford South exit). Kilcohan is signed off one of the roundabouts (just after the Tramore one).

wellbutty · 25-09-2010 11:43am

For those of you going from Waterford City to Galway city (or north of it), amazingly it's now quicker, safer and easier to go via the M50 in Dublin than to go direct via the N24 and Limerick....both routes at the speed limit.

Amtmann · 25-09-2010 11:52am

wellbutty wrote: »

For those of you going from Waterford City to Galway city (or north of it), amazingly it's now quicker, safer and easier to go via the M50 in Dublin than to go direct via the N24 and Limerick....both routes at the speed limit.

Not entirely surprising, but not good either. Another ten years of interurban motorway traffic converging on the M50 means it could well be far over-capacity again. The M18 when finished will even things up for Waterford traffic trying to access the west; but an upgrade of the N24 in certain places (most pressingly, I must reiterate, between Pallasgreen and Cahir), should not be forgotten about.

wellbutty · 25-09-2010 12:52pm

Furet wrote: »

Not entirely surprising, but not good either. Another ten years of interurban motorway traffic converging on the M50 means it could well be far over-capacity again. The M18 when finished will even things up for Waterford traffic trying to access the west; but an upgrade of the N24 in certain places (most pressingly, I must reiterate, between Pallasgreen and Cahir), should not be forgotten about.

Exactly, it's critical that some other roads crisscrossing the country are upgraded to some form of 2+2 and that all our roads don't only lead to Dublin.

hi5 · 25-09-2010 7:49pm

wellbutty wrote: »

Exactly, it's critical that some other roads crisscrossing the country are upgraded to some form of 2+2 and that all our roads don't only lead to Dublin.

A motorway from Rosslare to Derry would be good linking all existing motorways at major towns such as Carlow,Portlaoise, Athlone,Longford etc.

Silverado · 26-09-2010 4:47pm

It is just me or have other M9 drivers found the M9/M7 junction difficult in darkness?

Driving down to Waterford from Dublin last night the M9/M7 junction (J1/J11) was noticeably unlit and hard to navigate in the dark. This is not the first time I have found it tricky and I feel that it is high time for this junction to be fully lit like nearly all the M9 junctions. There used to be a light on the sign at the actual junction but this is now gone.

The long winter nights are now coming upon us and there will be an increased use in the M9 now that the whole route is open. In the interests of road safety full lighting at this junction is badly needed. I'm not sure if this is the business of Kildare Co. Council or the NRA but it needs to be lobbied for. Especially, when many of the lit junctions on either the M9 or M7 haven't anything like the same use.

I noticed that the M9/M7 junction is quite well sign posted but it doesn't alter the fact that M9 could easily be missed in poor visibility and darkness. Imagine what happens when you barely see it in time and have to make a dangerous left turn across of speeding traffic. It happened me once and I hadn’t the guts to make the sudden left turn-in and …..

If you miss that junction its quite a job to get back to the M9 and involves going on to J12 (Curragh) and then going down to Kilcullen to rejoin the M9 at J2 on poor roads.

slimjimmc · 26-09-2010 9:07pm

Silverado wrote: »

It is just me or have other M9 drivers found the M9/M7 junction difficult in darkness?

Driving down to Waterford from Dublin last night the M9/M7 junction (J1/J11) was noticeably unlit and hard to navigate in the dark. This is not the first time I have found it tricky and I feel that it is high time for this junction to be fully lit like nearly all the M9 junctions. There used to be a light on the sign at the actual junction but this is now gone.

The long winter nights are now coming upon us and there will be an increased use in the M9 now that the whole route is open. In the interests of road safety full lighting at this junction is badly needed. I'm not sure if this is the business of Kildare Co. Council or the NRA but it needs to be lobbied for. Especially, when many of the lit junctions on either the M9 or M7 haven't anything like the same use.

I noticed that the M9/M7 junction is quite well sign posted but it doesn't alter the fact that M9 could easily be missed in poor visibility and darkness. Imagine what happens when you barely see it in time and have to make a dangerous left turn across of speeding traffic. It happened me once and I hadn’t the guts to make the sudden left turn-in and …..

If you miss that junction its quite a job to get back to the M9 and involves going on to J12 (Curragh) and then going down to Kilcullen to rejoin the M9 at J2 on poor roads.

Lighting would indeed be a good idea and can help improve safety however, tbh, I'm quite surprised you nearly missed the junction if you were paying adequate attention. The gantry signage clearly states how far the junction is away (at 1km and 600m if I remember correctly) and did you not notice the reflective 300m, 200m and 100m markers along the hard shoulder; they're fitted approaching all motorway junctions.

I've highlighted one sentence in bold because I believe there little or no reasons why anyone should 'have' to swerve across traffic to make an exit. If you can't exit in a safe manouvre then you're already too late and you must not attempt a dangerous one. The next exit may be inconvenient but a lot less inconvenient than being cut out from a barrier. Unfortunately I've often had to avoid such idiots who either ignore the signage or leave it the very last.

L1011 · 26-09-2010 9:08pm

There's a 2KM sign, either a gantry or standard advanced junction warning, also.

mickger844posts · 27-09-2010 8:50pm

wellbutty wrote: »

For those of you going from Waterford City to Galway city (or north of it), amazingly it's now quicker, safer and easier to go via the M50 in Dublin than to go direct via the N24 and Limerick....both routes at the speed limit.

That's very interesting, what would the travel time be going to Galway via m50 compared to n24 ?

fricatus · 27-09-2010 10:47pm

hi5 wrote: »

A motorway from Rosslare to Derry would be good linking all existing motorways at major towns such as Carlow,Portlaoise, Athlone,Longford etc.

If you were going to build such a route, it would make a lot more sense to run it via Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. Larger centres of population and parts are already built to motorway or DC standard, or else in planning (e.g. N25 Waterford bypass, N7 Limerick bypass/tunnel, M18 and M17).

fricatus · 27-09-2010 10:54pm

hi5 wrote: »

A motorway from Rosslare to Derry would be good linking all existing motorways at major towns such as Carlow,Portlaoise, Athlone,Longford etc.

If you were going to build such a route, it would make a lot more sense to run it via Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. Larger centres of population and parts are already built to motorway or DC standard, or else in planning (e.g. N25 Waterford bypass, N7 Limerick bypass/tunnel, M18 and M17).

coolperson05 · 27-09-2010 11:17pm

fricatus wrote: »

If you were going to build such a route, it would make a lot more sense to run it via Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. Larger centres of population and parts are already built to motorway or DC standard, or else in planning (e.g. N25 Waterford bypass, N7 Limerick bypass/tunnel, M18 and M17).

Exactly. Especially Waterford to Cork N25. That road is not very appealing since the newer motorways around the country have opened. Theres plenty of sections of it just waiting to be upgraded to 2+2. A steel divide, resurface and a few road markings! Sorted! Seriously though, it wouldnt require mega money to at lease make the N25 safe ie. Coming into Youghal bypass, Castledermot, et al.

Bards · 28-09-2010 8:17am

coolperson05 wrote: »

Exactly. Especially Waterford to Cork N25. That road is not very appealing since the newer motorways around the country have opened. Theres plenty of sections of it just waiting to be upgraded to 2+2. A steel divide, resurface and a few road markings! Sorted! Seriously though, it wouldnt require mega money to at lease make the N25 safe ie. Coming into Youghal bypass, Castledermot, et al.

err. Castledermot is in Co. Kildare and has been bypassed by the M9

Castlemartyr perhaps?

Seriously though, I would give the N24 higher priority than the N25 in terms of upgrading as the N24 is way inferior with very few safe overtaking spots vis a vis the N25

wellbutty · 28-09-2010 11:06am

mickger844posts wrote: »

That's very interesting, what would the travel time be going to Galway via m50 compared to n24 ?

The beauty of this route is that youve only got one unknown and thats the M50. But if the traffic was bad and you knew what you were doing Id say you could cut across earlier somewhere around J7 on the M9 to J3 on the M4. Ive done it twice by the M50 in 3 hours 20 minutes, roughly:

1) Waterford to the end of the M7 near Naas......70 minutes
2) Naas to the Red Cow, around the M50 and out to Leixlip.....40 minutes
3) Leixlip to Galway........90 minutes

By the N24, which is 130km shorter, youre looking at anywhere from 3 hours 40 to 4 hours 40, depending on tractors and all the towns along the way. The N24 must get priority over the N25

Jayuu · 28-09-2010 3:35pm

wellbutty wrote: »

The beauty of this route is that youve only got one unknown and thats the M50. But if the traffic was bad and you knew what you were doing Id say you could cut across earlier somewhere around J7 on the M9 to J3 on the M4. Ive done it twice by the M50 in 3 hours 20 minutes, roughly:

1) Waterford to the end of the M7 near Naas......70 minutes
2) Naas to the Red Cow, around the M50 and out to Leixlip.....40 minutes
3) Leixlip to Galway........90 minutes

By the N24, which is 130km shorter, youre looking at anywhere from 3 hours 40 to 4 hours 40, depending on tractors and all the towns along the way. The N24 must get priority over the N25

I'm wondering if you'd even both going to the M50. If you left the M4 at Maynooth (Junction 7) and then went as far as Straffan on the R406 you could take the L2007 to join the N7 at Kill (Junction 7).

Now I don't the quality of the L2007 but the R406 is a fair enough road. Google maps suggests that this would take around 20 minutes whereas going the whole way to the M50 and back out at around 30 minutes. Not much of a saving I'll grant but a lot would depend on the time you were planning to do the route. If it was in and around rush hour at the M50 then you'd have long delays at Newlands X.

M9 motorway (general thread)

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