N6 - Athlone Bypass Upgrade works

Wild Bill · 05-12-2011 9:54pm

Bit like the White House and Casino in Two-Mile-Borris then? :rolleyes:

billbond4 · 05-12-2011 10:32pm

I don't think all the halls will get built but I would say they will build one or two. Its a good idea as it would save businesses a lot of money by not going to China.
not like like stupid casino in Tipperary.

Sponge Bob · 05-12-2011 11:17pm

Don't tell me they are installing Traffic Lights for Wrong Kong ?????

06-12-2011 5:19am

billbond4 wrote: »

I don't think all the halls will get built but I would say they will build one or two. Its a good idea as it would save businesses a lot of money by not going to China.
not like like stupid casino in Tipperary.

Way OT, but we should be building factories to manufacture the stuff rather than a showcase venue to help export even more jobs! :mad:
/OT

billbond4 · 06-12-2011 8:02am

Yeah I agree but Ireland is still an expensive place to manufacture, but having Chinatown may boost exports to China as the Chinese become more aware of Ireland.
I'm an optimist :-D

Wild Bill · 06-12-2011 9:45am

Good debate guys, now back to the Athlone Bypass, eh?

(Practicing to be a Mod)

billbond4 · 06-12-2011 10:09am

ok back on topic, how will all the people going to the Athlone Chinatown get there?
Also for possible Chinese investors watch this clip 17minutes and 50 seconds in, on some helpful Athlone phrases
http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1125402

dubhthach · 08-12-2011 9:41pm

billbond4 wrote: »

ok back on topic, how will all the people going to the Athlone Chinatown get there?
Also for possible Chinese investors watch this clip 17minutes and 50 seconds in, on some helpful Athlone phrases
http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1125402

Hardly back on topic now is it?

What's the current status of the upgrade? I'm assuming it's finished as I didn't see any more work on the route last time I went down to Gaillimh. As a result it might be worth locking the thread, unless of course there are other parts still ongoing ?(junctions etc.)

08-12-2011 9:47pm

dubhthach wrote: »

Hardly back on topic now is it?

What's the current status of the upgrade? I'm assuming it's finished as I didn't see any more work on the route last time I went down to Gaillimh. As a result it might be worth locking the thread, unless of course there are other parts still ongoing ?(junctions etc.)

From what I can see is that apart from the junction upgrades which haven’t started yet, the mainline work is complete.

Sponge Bob · 09-12-2011 12:55am

Are the junction upgrades fully funded in the €7-8m odd total funds allocated to this in 2010/2011 or do they require more wongas ????

veryangryman · 09-12-2011 9:59am

Can we rename this thread from "upgrade" to "maintenance"

Not one inch of the road has been "upgraded" since the early 90s. barring the M6 connection parts at either end. Obviously i do now enjoy driving on the smoother surface, but that goes down as maintenance to me.

As for the traffic light plan, sure thats basically offline so doesnt REALLY count (in any case, as a guy who dont like to stop :cool: I consider it a downgrade)

Tremolo, what do you think?

Wild Bill · 09-12-2011 9:25pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Obviously i do now enjoy driving on the smoother surface, but that goes down as maintenance to me.

Nope. That is definitely an upgrade.

Nice job too. :cool:

10-01-2012 10:03am

More roadworks on the N6 Athlone bypass!

Looks like they've now decided to replace the new signs with gantries, why the hell didn't they do this at the same time as the upgrade works. :rolleyes:

Fortunately, there should not be much disruption to traffic.

billbond4 · 10-01-2012 10:12am

ah now, that would involve some sort of forward planning and communication between council departments, something which is sadly lacking from county councils.

flazio · 10-01-2012 11:49am

East bound on the bridge over J11 (Coosan/Applegreen) there appears to be this square bit of debris on the overtaking lane that's been there for months, looks like a bit of MDF.

billbond4 · 10-01-2012 11:51am

yeah seen that, kept meaning to ring the Co.Co or the cops

etchyed · 10-01-2012 6:29pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Looks like they've now decided to replace the new signs with gantries,

Is that really necessary? The NRA seem to have gone into overkill with all these gantries, they've put up a few on the N11 south of Bray too.

Criteria for when a gantry is actually required are a lot more stringent in the UK. I don't know about other countries tbh, but those gantries can't come cheap. It it seems like roadside signs would be perfectly adequate on the Athlone bypass.

L1011 · 10-01-2012 7:35pm

Sure they aren't just installing VMSs? There's VMS bases all across the DC/M network now, awaiting the units.

Wild Bill · 10-01-2012 9:54pm

etchyed wrote: »

Is that really necessary? The NRA seem to have gone into overkill with all these gantries, they've put up a few on the N11 south of Bray too.

Criteria for when a gantry is actually required are a lot more stringent in the UK. I don't know about other countries tbh, but those gantries can't come cheap. It it seems like roadside signs would be perfectly adequate on the Athlone bypass.

Yeah, let's spend our money on bailing out the German banks; or put it into the Black Hole of Anglo.

God forbid we'd actually establish best practice in terms of grade-separated junction exit signage.

We are only Paddies after all :mad:

etchyed · 11-01-2012 2:25am

Wild Bill wrote: »

Yeah, let's spend our money on bailing out the German banks; or put it into the Black Hole of Anglo.

God forbid we'd actually establish best practice in terms of grade-separated junction exit signage.

Surely best practice would be balancing cost with necessity.

We are only Paddies after all :mad:

What do you mean by this? I think I can guess but I'm not sure.

11-01-2012 5:22am

MYOB wrote: »

Sure they aren't just installing VMSs? There's VMS bases all across the DC/M network now, awaiting the units.

No, the position of the works is right at the start of the slip lanes , exactly the same place as when they were installing gantries along other sections of the M6 last year.

But I have seen a couple of bases for VMS signs appear along the M6 near Kilbeggan.

KevR · 11-01-2012 10:49am

Deleted User wrote: »

But I have seen a couple of bases for VMS signs appear along the M6 near Kilbeggan.

Apologies for going a bit off-topic but a VMS was installed on the M4 Westbound near Kinnegead quite some time ago but I have never seen it turned on. Anyone know if it is used at all?

Wild Bill · 11-01-2012 10:50am

etchyed wrote: »

What do you mean by this? I think I can guess but I'm not sure.

I was being :rolleyes:.

The very idea that our NRA could actually have a better signage system than UK/Germany/France is unfathomable to many Irish folk of the chattering classes

I judge these things on what, as someone who has driven 1.5 million miles throughout Ireland, the UK and the Continent, judge things by what I see - not based on "what they do in Germany/France/UK"

A lot of folk seem to think if it's not done in Country X, then it is wrong/wasteful/daft/whatever.

This view is itself wrong/wasteful/daft/whatever.

etchyed · 11-01-2012 2:31pm

Wild Bill wrote: »

I was being :rolleyes:.

The very idea that our NRA could actually have a better signage system than UK/Germany/France is unfathomable to many Irish folk of the chattering classes

I judge these things on what, as someone who has driven 1.5 million miles throughout Ireland, the UK and the Continent, judge things by what I see - not based on "what they do in Germany/France/UK"

A lot of folk seem to think if it's not done in Country X, then it is wrong/wasteful/daft/whatever.

This view is itself wrong/wasteful/daft/whatever.

Ah, so you were accusing me of exactly what I thought you were. Didn't want to jump the gun. I think it undermines your argument somewhat to have to paint me/anyone else with this opinion as a certain type of person.

I disagree with you fundamentally on this. It is not smallminded or unambitious to look at other countries for examples of what to do. Governments look at the conclusions other countries have reached all the time on a wide variety of issues.

So, judging things by what you see, and having driven 1.5 million miles, do you actually really think it's necessary to have expensive gantry signs on roads like the Athlone bypass? Or are you just arguing because you're irritated by me bringing up what other countries do?

antoobrien · 11-01-2012 5:27pm

KevR wrote: »

Apologies for going a bit off-topic but a VMS was installed on the M4 Westbound near Kinnegead quite some time ago but I have never seen it turned on. Anyone know if it is used at all?

I think it is on now, with speed kills or slow down it's wet (despite the windscreen being dry) messages.

The ones on the M50 have Journey times and occasionally instructions on how to use the 2nd and 3rd lane (still doesn't stop people thinking the middle lane is the driving lane).

Wild Bill · 11-01-2012 9:31pm

etchyed wrote: »

So, judging things by what you see, and having driven 1.5 million miles, do you actually really think it's necessary to have expensive gantry signs on roads like the Athlone bypass? Or are you just arguing because you're irritated by me bringing up what other countries do?

(1) I am irritated by the presumption that "what other countries do" is taken as the arbiter of good/bad practice in Ireland.
Rather than an actual assessment of the practice.

(2) I think the gantry signs are extremely useful and an important safety feature.
The only necessary thing in human existence are food, shelter and air. :cool:

Wild Bill · 11-01-2012 9:33pm

antoobrien wrote: »

The ones on the M50 have Journey times and occasionally instructions on how to use the 2nd and 3rd lane (still doesn't stop people thinking the middle lane is the driving lane).

When they have nothing exceptional to report they should have all those signs telling clowns to drive in the left lane unless overtaking. :mad:

etchyed · 11-01-2012 10:59pm

Wild Bill wrote: »

(1) I am irritated by the presumption that "what other countries do" is taken as the arbiter of good/bad practice in Ireland.
Rather than an actual assessment of the practice.

In assessing practice, it is sometimes useful, as I've already pointed out, to refer to conclusions that others have already come to. NOT as an "arbiter", but as a useful tool in decision making. The idea that a country the size of ours can reinvent the wheel for every aspect of its governance is ludicrous.

Drawing comparison to what our European neighbours have done is entirely valid, as there should be little reason why their cost-benefit analysis on gantry signage (for example) would be materially different from ours.

It's a completely sensible thing to do and your finding it irritating does nothing to change that.

(2) I think the gantry signs are extremely useful and an important safety feature.
The only necessary thing in human existence are food, shelter and air. :cool:

Fair enough if you personally think they're worth the money. Obviously I disagree.

Wild Bill · 11-01-2012 11:44pm

etchyed wrote: »

The idea that a country the size of ours can reinvent the wheel for every aspect of its governance is ludicrous.

The idea that we can't invent anything is equally ludicrous. That was the point I was trying to make.

L1011 · 12-01-2012 9:27pm

KevR wrote: »

Apologies for going a bit off-topic but a VMS was installed on the M4 Westbound near Kinnegead quite some time ago but I have never seen it turned on. Anyone know if it is used at all?

the new ones generally have a red light in the top corner to indicate they're alive. If its not there, its not wired up.

However, it is on the NRA system:
http://www.nratraffic.ie/vms/default.asp

etchyed · 14-01-2012 5:23pm

Wild Bill wrote: »

The idea that we can't invent anything is equally ludicrous. That was the point I was trying to make.

Apologies for the late thread bump but I haven't been online in a couple of days. Apologies also if this seems petty, but really, I don't think that was the point you were trying to make. You were just having a go at me for having the tenacity to compare any kind of practice in Ireland with that in another country.

You've still failed to acknowledge that it's a completely valid thing to do and failed to apologise for painting me (and anyone else who makes valid comparisons) as ignorant, unambitious Paddies who can't see beyond what our neighbours do. Making insinuations about the mindset of another poster because you can't (or can't be arsed to) make a valid argument against the point that they make is just a waste of time. It shines no light on any debate and just serves to satisfy your own sense of indignation about the attitudes (or what you perceive are the attitudes) of certain people.

(I'm making this point generally, not just about the feckin gantries, which I don't even feel that strongly about. I just think there are one or two too many.)

Zubeneschamali · 15-01-2012 10:34am

Back on topic: looks like they've started work on J11, removing the mad B&Q/skip the queue lane.

Wild Bill · 15-01-2012 8:27pm

etchyed wrote: »

Apologies also if this seems petty, but really, I don't think that was the point you were trying to make. You were just having a go at me for having the tenacity to compare any kind of practice in Ireland with that in another country.

I've actually told you the point I was making. It was a legitimate comment in the context of the type of remarks/assumptions that are widespread on these threads.

Why not follow your own advice and don't make "insinuations about the mindset of another poster"

OK - end of - from me anyway.

billbond4 · 16-01-2012 10:28am

looks like another gantry site been built near the roscommon exit going eastbound :-(

Wild Bill · 16-01-2012 9:03pm

billbond4 wrote: »

looks like another gantry site been built near the roscommon exit going eastbound :-(

Excellent

whyulittle · 18-01-2012 6:08pm

Junction upgrades to begin in mid-February.

€2 million contract has been awarded to Willis Brothers.

Work is scheduled for J11 from Feb 13th - March 9th, Feb 13th - March 16th for J9 and March 15th - May 11th for J10.

NRA are currently installing gantries, and this work is to be completed before the junction work begins.

billbond4 · 18-01-2012 6:43pm

****e not willis bros again.
Does any other company put in for contracts in midlands roads

Ascii · 18-01-2012 10:19pm

Not a fan I take it ? Must be doing something right if they can secure these contracts

billbond4 · 18-01-2012 11:04pm

Not a fan, they are probably winning contracts as they the cheapest.
Seems like a long time to do junction works, bet times will slip.
Doesn't make sense to be doing two junctions together as it would effect detoured traffic ?

whyulittle · 18-01-2012 11:11pm

They're doing 9 and 11 together, so 10 will be open in the middle.

billbond4 · 19-01-2012 8:03am

So traffic for j11 will be diverted onto j10 and traffic for j9 will be diverted onto j8?
I see j10 being very bad for the month as people for j11 and j9 will probably use j10.

Great ! another unnecessary two months of traffic queues on the bypass and they still have to close the westbound motorway at j13 :-(

19-01-2012 8:07am

Who says anything about closing junctions?
The work can be done "live".

Zubeneschamali · 19-01-2012 9:50am

February my hole, they have ripped up J11 already!

billbond4 · 19-01-2012 10:24am

Deleted User wrote: »

Who says anything about closing junctions?
The work can be done "live".

No need to close the motorway from J13 to J14, but they still want to do that.

Suppose we will have to wait and see about how they handle the upgrade works, but id assume they will have to close the junctions for parts of the works, so they might close the junctions for the whole period of the works.

billbond4 · 19-01-2012 4:01pm

http://www.athlone.ie/council-notices/athlone-town-council-notice-of-temporary-closure-of-roads

Notice of Temporary Closure of Roads in Athlone

WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL / ATHLONE TOWN COUNCIL

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ROADS

ROADS ACT 1993 and ROADS REGULATIONS 1994

Notice is hereby given that Westmeath County Council/Athlone Town Council intends to close to public traffic the roads described for periods as outlined hereunder to facilitate Junction Upgrade Works on the Athlone Relief Road (N6). These closures will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Roads to be closed:

Road No.

Location

Dates

Times

N6 Athlone Relief Road
Junction 11 (Coosan) On and Off ramps Intermittent dates between 13th February & 9th March 2012

N6 Athlone Relief Road
Junction 10
(Ballymahon Road) On and Off ramps Intermittent dates between 15th March & 11th May 2012

N6 Athlone Relief Road
Junction 9 (Garrycastle) On and Off ramps Intermittent dates between 13th February & 16th March 2012

N6 Athlone Relief Road
Mainline at Junction 9 (Garrycastle)
10th and 11th March 2012
Or
24th and 25th March 2012 One period of 27 hours between 11:00 hrs Saturday and 14:00 hrs Sunday
Alternative Routes Available:

The surrounding urban road network on diversions as signposted. These diversions will be similar to those carried out during the works in 2011 and they will be advertised on the Councils’ websites www.athlone.ie and www.westmeathcoco.ie in advance.

Any person who wishes to object to the closing of this road should lodge such objection, in writing, with Ms. Edel Martin, a/Town Clerk, Athlone Town Council and Area Office, Civic Offices, Church Street, Athlone on or before 4.00pm on Wednesday 25th January 2012.

billbond4 · 23-01-2012 11:21am

just thinking as they are now putting a gantry up at J9, MAYBE it will be electronic and will help with displaying messages about the roadworks at the junctions starting in February.
Could councils have that much foresight?

veryangryman · 23-01-2012 12:07pm

billbond4 wrote: »

just thinking as they are now putting a gantry up at J9, MAYBE it will be electronic and will help with displaying messages about the roadworks at the junctions starting in February.
Could councils have that much foresight?

VMS signs (a la last year) will likely be the solution.

Me i dont really care - either way gives drivers plenty of notice

billbond4 · 24-01-2012 11:53am

Another gantry being constructed at J10 (towncenter exit) this morning

billbond4 · 24-01-2012 2:28pm

Handy way to get info about council services disruptions and other useful info in Roscommon County
http://www.mapalerter.com/roscommon

whyulittle · 25-01-2012 5:35pm

Small bit in the Westmeath today saying the B&Q lane isn't being removed, but changed.

N6 - Athlone Bypass Upgrade works

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