N4 Upgrade. Collooney to Castlebaldwin

Mint Sauce · 19-12-2013 10:17pm #1

So I heard this morning on Ocean FM that this is finnaly going ahead, only heard a snipet, something along the lines of 6 months, taking 5-6 years, and Duel Carriageway, also spotted a headline on The Weekender saying it was going ahead as well. Searching on the internet, I can find no news on it, nor can I see anything on the above websites, anyone hear or read anythin on this today, or have any links to it?

Gipo3 · 19-12-2013 10:46pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Searching on the internet, I can find no news on it, nor can I see anything on the above websites, anyone hear or read anythin on this today, or have any links to it?

That's because it has not been confirmed. What was said on ocean was by the action group and their view is that progress will be made as you pointed out, but has not been officially announced yet.

Also it has many more stages to go through yet before construction starts. The construction will be about a year, so it looks like four to five years before that.

dingding · 19-12-2013 11:26pm

http://www.sligotoday.ie/details.php?id=29041

dingding · 20-12-2013 12:44am

https://www.facebook.com/SligoChamber

Drag00n79 · 20-12-2013 7:50am

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/perilous-stretch-of-sligo-road-to-be-replaced-by-15km-dual-carriageway-1.1633708

wellieboot · 20-12-2013 7:58am

http://www.sligococo.ie/News/Name,30646,en.html

sari · 21-12-2013 7:12pm

There's planning notices up for it, seen them along the kilmorgan road

Mint Sauce · 21-12-2013 7:52pm

Looking at those links, its a shame the that the only roundabouts could have been at just at Summerhill School (sligo town end), and at Castlebaldwin. With the exsisting slip roads at Caltragh, Carrarow, Balisidare, a new one at Colloney, and one or two between there and Castlebaldwin, it would have given more reason for the entire 25-30km to be regraded to motorway, considering the exsisting section has already been built to this standard.

JupiterKid · 26-12-2013 8:14pm

This new road will be a "2+2" type dual carriageway which means
that there will be two lanes separated by a wire rope barrier and no hard shoulder - like on the N4 Roosky-Dromod bypass - so it won't be able to be designated as a motorway as it is not motorway standard.

This project will remove the last substandard stretch of N4 between Longford and Sligo.

thebuzz · 27-12-2013 2:47am

Nothing wrong with the road, a lot worse ones around the country and I think this is a massive waste of money.

Slideways · 27-12-2013 6:55am

thebuzz wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the road, a lot worse ones around the country and I think this is a massive waste of money.

It's brutal. For the main Dublin -> Sligo road it's a disgrace.

Are you gettin it mixes with some other road by any chance?

Mint Sauce · 27-12-2013 8:43pm

thebuzz wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the road, a lot worse ones around the country and I think this is a massive waste of money.

I always thought the N17 just outside Sligo was the worse in the country, or even the Island, but that N4 section is probably just about one of the worse I have been on, hate driving it, even in the best of weather.

slapbangwallop · 27-12-2013 10:11pm

thebuzz wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the road, a lot worse ones around the country and I think this is a massive waste of money.

What? Are you kidding??

Every time I drive it I think to myself that you'd be embarrassed to call this a Main Road in a 3rd world country.

Sligo-Enniskillen should be sorted next.

Mint Sauce · 27-12-2013 10:24pm

slapbangwallop wrote: »

What? Are you kidding??

Every time I drive it I think to myself that you'd be embarrassed to call this a Main Road in a 3rd world country.

Sligo-Enniskillen should be sorted next.

Not really sure where they could improve it from Sligo to Manorhamilton any further considering the terrain, but eitherside of Glenfarm is definatly quite sketchy.

I did raise the question once re the NI side of the road, although think the response was to it never being done was down to the troubles. Hopefully improvments in the peace process might change that, as it is a major route, although think they are doing the Derry routes first as its the Norths second City.

Bebo stunnah · 28-12-2013 6:52pm

First, it was great to hear that this road is finally getting the 'go-ahead', but it's years too late, considering the Sligo-Collooney section opened about 15 years ago.

Mint Sauce wrote: »

it would have given more reason for the entire 25-30km to be regraded to motorway, considering the exsisting section has already been built to this standard.

I'm not quite sure if it's quite up to motorway standard,but it wouldn't be very far off, would only take a few things to bring it up though. Then again, the fact that it's a Dual carriageway doesn't stop a lot of drivers using it goin 120+ km/h already

One thing most people forget about the road is the fact that the roundabout at Toberbride acts as a convergence of 2 National roads (N4 & N17) which are currently two 1+1 roads to a 2+2 Dual Carriageway. That would be a nightmare to redesign. You'd be talking of a new roundabout similar to THIS

Mint Sauce · 28-12-2013 7:03pm

Bebo stunnah wrote: »

I'm not quite sure if it's quite up to motorway standard,but it wouldn't be very far off, would only take a few things to bring it up though. Then again, the fact that it's a Dual carriageway doesn't stop a lot of drivers using it goin 120+ km/h already

One thing most people forget about the road is the fact that the roundabout at Toberbride acts as a convergence of 2 National roads (N4 & N17) which are currently two 1+1 roads to a 2+2 Dual Carriageway. That would be a nightmare to redesign. You'd be talking of a new roundabout similar to THIS

Or you could have something similar to the Ballisdare Junction. Doesn't always have to includ a roundabout directly under or over the DC/Motorway.

I think all it take is to change the yellow markings from a broken line to a solid line, the signage from green to blue, and change the Junction numbers from S(insert no) to J(insert no). Although have read some where that the DC is slightly to short to be considered, hence the idea of doing the new part also as HQDC, with the removal of the roundabout at Colloney, and a proper juction with the N17, and new roads connecting the existing ones towards Colloney, Ballantogher, the retail park, and service station. Just a shame there wouldn't be the money for it.

Plus to have a motorway, you also have to have a second road that other traffic/road users can use, ie, those prohibited from using the motorway, something which the current section has from Sligo to Colloney. Prehaps the new proposed section did not have the land space, resources, cash, to allow this.

AgileMyth · 28-12-2013 8:56pm

slapbangwallop wrote: »

Sligo-Enniskillen should be sorted next.

Great motorcycling road. Would be gutted if they 'sorted' it.

Mint Sauce · 28-12-2013 10:14pm

Kettleson wrote: »

I'm not a biker, but I would be interested to know why it is a great motorcycling road.

I'm guessing the twists and turns makes it trilling to ride on a good day. Its quite a challenging road.

Kettleson · 28-12-2013 10:15pm

AgileMyth wrote: »

Great motorcycling road. Would be gutted if they 'sorted' it.

I'm not a biker, but I would be interested to know why it is a great motorcycling road.

Of no real relevance but this song came to mind...hope u enjoy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu-ug3_BtKQ

Kettleson · 28-12-2013 10:23pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I'm guessing the twists and turns makes it trilling to ride on a good day. Its quite a challenging road.

And all within the speed limit one would presume.

I'm not poking fun here, cos for sure on a daily basis I see the average motorist exceeding the speed limit and using mobile phones etc.

Total respect to bikers, I'm sure they are as safe as the above average motorist, I just think it says a lot about the "safety" of the road that it can be used as a "thrill" pad...not good if you want to stay safe and alive on the roads.

red sean · 28-12-2013 11:37pm

No such thing as an unsafe road, just unsafe road users!

thebuzz · 28-12-2013 11:38pm

Thats a window seat wrote: »

It's brutal. For the main Dublin -> Sligo road it's a disgrace.

Are you gettin it mixes with some other road by any chance?

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I always thought the N17 just outside Sligo was the worse in the country, or even the Island, but that N4 section is probably just about one of the worse I have been on, hate driving it, even in the best of weather.

slapbangwallop wrote: »

What? Are you kidding??

Every time I drive it I think to myself that you'd be embarrassed to call this a Main Road in a 3rd world country.

Sligo-Enniskillen should be sorted next.

I'm not saying it's a great road or anything and I will be happy when it's done as it will allow slightly quicker travelling time to Dublin, but I really don't understand the hype about how bad the road is. A few bad bends but unless you're speeding into them you should be ok.

Personally I wouldn't have it as a priority when it comes to spending the taxpayers millions.

Mint Sauce · 28-12-2013 11:53pm

thebuzz wrote: »

I'm not saying it's a great road or anything and I will be happy when it's done as it will allow slightly quicker travelling time to Dublin, but I really don't understand the hype about how bad the road is. A few bad bends but unless you're speeding into them you should be ok.

Personally I wouldn't have it as a priority when it comes to spending the taxpayers millions.

I know the speed limit is not the target, but I have some times not even felt safe going over 60/70 on some sections of it. Especially if its a bad night.

Expect more white crosses unfortunately if something not done about it.

AgileMyth · 30-12-2013 2:14pm

Kettleson wrote: »

And all within the speed limit one would presume.

I'm not poking fun here, cos for sure on a daily basis I see the average motorist exceeding the speed limit and using mobile phones etc.

Total respect to bikers, I'm sure they are as safe as the above average motorist, I just think it says a lot about the "safety" of the road that it can be used as a "thrill" pad...not good if you want to stay safe and alive on the roads.

On that road you would generally be below the speed limit. Its a challenging twisty road. You have to be aware of the dangers at all times. Thats what makes it exciting, you're barely out of a corner when you hit the next.

Its possible to enjoy the roads without putting yourself or those around you in danger. I'd say most motorcyclists are much more careful and aware than car drivers, you have to be to survive because car drivers try to kill you quite frequently.

Bebo stunnah · 30-12-2013 2:43pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Or you could have something similar to the Ballisdare Junction.

I'd find that a similar junction like the one in Caltragh would suit people in Collooney much better than the current one with the roundabout. The main problem would be the n4/17 link up. The only one I could think that would work would be an elevated roundabout like the one I posted.

thebuzz wrote: »

I'm not saying it's a great road or anything and I will be happy when it's done as it will allow slightly quicker travelling time to Dublin, but I really don't understand the hype about how bad the road is. A few bad bends but unless you're speeding into them you should be ok.

With regards to the bit I put in bold, the road is far from the worst one I've ever been on. But there's a few reasons it's regarded as being dangerous; its a National road which has houses with direct access onto it, concealed entrances from minor roads onto it, corners which are bad enough that you have to reduce your speed. But the biggest danger on that road is that its absolutely void of a hard shoulder for several kms!

Kettleson · 30-12-2013 6:45pm

@Agilemyth. Thanks for that. I was remembering my own experience over recent years and my observations of what I would consider to have been dangerous driving, there have been plenty of them and genuinely none of them involved a motorcyclist.

JeffK88 · 06-02-2015 12:01am

Small bit of work happening on this project. Spotted on Etenders:

Short description
N4 Collooney-Castlebaldwin Road Development Archaeological Consultancy Services Contract (2015) Stage (i)i Geophysical Survey
Detailed description
The contract involves the provision of archaeological consultancy services in the form of archaeological geophysical survey with respect to the N4 Collooney- Castlebaldwin Road Development amounting to a combined total area of 19.18 ha.

Link:https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=84431&B=&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders

BronsonTB · 23-08-2021 12:09pm

This road is due to open to traffic today (23/8/21)

24-08-2021 7:06pm

Great road but no hard shoulder, wouldn’t like to break down on it!

Andy From Sligo · 25-08-2021 9:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117798759#Comment_117798759

you would just have to stop in the left hand lane - its a straight enough road so people should be able to see relatively from further away if the broken down car has its hazards on then just overtake using the other carriageway (if they have their whit's about them and not speeding)

rizzodun · 25-08-2021 10:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117798759#Comment_117798759

In fairness, there was no hard shoulder on the old road, and it was a lot more dangerous than the new one.

L1011 · 25-08-2021 10:54pm

Plenty of laybys - should be able to coast to one of those in most cases. Majority of in-running breakdowns are from overheating in heavy traffic these days anyway. Cars are not the awful heaps they were decades ago.

Andy From Sligo · 25-08-2021 11:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117804088#Comment_117804088

you might be pretty relieved of a breakdown lane to pull over to if one of your front tyres blew at 100km/h though, and that does still happen these days no matter if your car is a heap or new ...

L1011 · 25-08-2021 11:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117804164#Comment_117804164

By the time you've got the vehicle controlled you'll be able to get to a layby. More likely to end up in the centre barrier than need the shoulder

Andy From Sligo · 25-08-2021 11:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/88181787#Comment_88181787

The bottleneck that is Carrick-on-Shannon next - badly needs bypass through it! (edit: around it) ....

sligojoek · 25-08-2021 11:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117804186#Comment_117804186

Over it

Under it

Anything.

Andy From Sligo · 06-09-2021 3:58pm

I travelled the New N4 carriageway yesterday back from Boyle - it actually felt longer to me , I was thinking 'will we ever get to the N17 Collooney roundabout?!" - we were doing a steady 100km/h and its nice and straight and nice to not have to slow down to 50km/h for the Castlebaldwin stretch ... but it really felt actually longer to get home!

N4 Upgrade. Collooney to Castlebaldwin

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