M7 - Naas/Newbridge Bypass Upgrade [Junction 9a now open]

pad199207 · 06-06-2018 3:37pm

BuzzFish wrote: »

Took a few pics from KerryGroup late last week....

It’s really beginning to make excellent progress now.

marno21 · 06-06-2018 3:39pm

pad199207 wrote: »

It’s really beginning to make excellent progress now.

Good weather is really helping (not just here but on jobs nationwide!)

The demolition of that bridge is surely only around the corner.

barneygumble99 · 06-06-2018 5:00pm

marno21 wrote: »

Good weather is really helping (not just here but on jobs nationwide!)

The demolition of that bridge is surely only around the corner.

Will they not put in the new bridge first as the old bridge would be very handy for access to both sides of it whilst it’s being built? Providing the bridges aren’t overlapping at all, looking like they don’t from where the pads are being constructed.

marno21 · 08-06-2018 2:38am

Drainage works ongoing along the mainline:

Long shot of new J9A Osberstown:

New bridge at J9A to be constructed before demolition of existing accommodation crossing:

Sallins bypass under construction: (new temporary Liffey bridge to be built soon to provide works access)

marno21 · 08-06-2018 2:42am

New roundabout location on Clane Road, Sallins:

Drainage works on Sallins bypass:

Work to begin shortly on Sallins bypass bridge over the River Liffey:

View of mainline from existing bridge at Osberstown, including construction of centre pier for new junction overbridge:

Piling works for new J9A overbridge:

sea12 · 08-06-2018 7:07pm

Great photos. I noticed today they had dig down all around the piers they piled for the new bridge. Is that normal?

patrickc · 16-06-2018 5:48pm

They were working there during the night last night

Redsoxfan · 22-06-2018 8:21am

Couple of Dutch artic trucks delivering something at the Sallins bypass works this morning.

D Trent · 22-06-2018 10:29am

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Couple of Dutch artic trucks delivering something at the Sallins bypass works this morning.

Must be flowers.

You know, keep the boys on side..

22-06-2018 4:55pm

D Trent wrote: »

Must be flowers.

You know, keep the boys on side..

More likely Dutch Gold!

marno21 · 22-06-2018 4:57pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

More likely Dutch Gold!

I think you're right there. There's fine weather in the way next week so beer is a good shout

jmkennedyie · 23-06-2018 12:09pm

Yep must be flowers, crates of beer, or - if trucks spotted on Clane end - could it be the temporary bridge for over the Liffey?

Also heard there was a bit of head scratching last month or 4 as mainline works discovered unexpected pipework at an awkward depth that had to be worked around for the drainage

gilly0512 · 18-07-2018 11:56am

I actually hadn't been on the M7 for the last two months, but drove to Newbridge last Saturday. Maybe it's just me, but it looks like very little has happened since I was last on the M7, although maybe those who are on it every day can tell me differently?

Kevwoody · 18-07-2018 1:18pm

gilly2308 wrote:

I actually hadn't been on the M7 for the last two months, but drove to Newbridge last Saturday. Maybe it's just me, but it looks like very little has happened since I was last on the M7, although maybe those who are on it every day can tell me differently?

Most of the work is happening offline. I did notice however the large machine for forming the centre concrete barrier is now on site, shouldn't be too long before that begins.
What people dont understand is the bulk of the work is buried, ie drainage and ducting. Once complete, the process of adding layers of stone and tarmac will happen very quickly.

Be well and win · 18-07-2018 1:18pm

gilly2308 wrote: »

I actually hadn't been on the M7 for the last two months, but drove to Newbridge last Saturday. Maybe it's just me, but it looks like very little has happened since I was last on the M7, although maybe those who are on it every day can tell me differently?

Seems to be have been a never ending drainage programme ongoing in the middle for the last few months. That phase finally seems to be coming to an end though and it looks like they are starting to cover them up. I'll be curious to see what the next work will be

benny79 · 18-07-2018 2:40pm

Be well and win wrote: »

Seems to be have been a never ending drainage programme ongoing in the middle for the last few months. That phase finally seems to be coming to an end though and it looks like they are starting to cover them up. I'll be curious to see what the next work will be

How does the drainage take so long? seriously they are only extending 1 junction long at the minute! Its not as if there was a road there already! There not be drainage there from the other 2 lanes? Plus they extended the whole of the Naas road in the same time that was 9 junctions long! I know the ryder cup was a big factor but still...

Im only talking about the lanes not all the new junction layouts obviously they will take time! Dreading when the schools go back road will be a nightmare again..

serfboard · 18-07-2018 5:18pm

benny79 wrote: »

How does the drainage take so long? seriously they are only extending 1 junction long at the minute! Its not as if there was a road there already! There not be drainage there from the other 2 lanes?

Sometimes these projects are used as a way of doing other work that needs to be done at the same time.

You know: sure them lads are digging up there, let's replace the piping with bigger/newer piping while they're at it, rather than ripping it up again later - which I'm sure you'd be complaining about if that happened!

CeilingFly · 18-07-2018 5:47pm

benny79 wrote: »

How does the drainage take so long? seriously they are only extending 1 junction long at the minute! Its not as if there was a road there already! There not be drainage there from the other 2 lanes? Plus they extended the whole of the Naas road in the same time that was 9 junctions long! I know the ryder cup was a big factor but still...

Im only talking about the lanes not all the new junction layouts obviously they will take time! Dreading when the schools go back road will be a nightmare again..

And your experience of drainage systems and road engineering is????????

I just cannot understand the whining posts of some people - maybe ask for information of the drainage rather that do a whining post especially when you have zero experience in the field. There are plenty of experienced people on these threads, but they tend to respond to reasonable queries than a whine

And you think that they can widen the road and then simply bolt on the two ne junctions later? Seriously?

barneygumble99 · 18-07-2018 6:31pm

CeilingFly wrote: »

And your experience of drainage systems and road engineering is????????

I just cannot understand the whining posts of some people - maybe ask for information of the drainage rather that do a whining post especially when you have zero experience in the field. There are plenty of experienced people on these threads, but they tend to respond to reasonable queries than a whine

And you think that they can widen the road and then simply bolt on the two ne junctions later? Seriously?

Excellent post. I know for a fact the drainage on the mainline is very deep and involves a lot of trench box use which means very slow progress. Plus when the current work area is fully tarred and finished I’ll be assuming they will be digging up and replacing the road from foundation to finish , on the current 2 lanes both ways that are in use.

jmkennedyie · 18-07-2018 8:23pm

The centre foundations of new mainline bridge at Kerry are now above ground ready for pillars. Looks like 2 or 3 new foundations for signage/gantries on the centre of mainline are complete/nearly there. Hardcore(?) for sections of the new centre lane surface on mainline is going in and being profiled. Rebar footings for the central reservation are in along lot of the site.

The railway bridge construction site (separate contract) is cleared both sides.

The north side ramp to canal bridge is getting there - started from field well below canal level. The south side ramp to canal bridge has not started.

Looks like piling machine started foundations for the northern Liffey bridge near Clane. Guess that is for permanent bridge - maybe the temporary one already in?

Various lane closures all nights this week. http://www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/PressReleasesAdverts/M7OvernightTemporaryLaneClosuresM7WestboundandM7Eastbound.html.

Diversion up and over J9 tonight. http://www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/PressReleasesAdverts/M7OvernightDiversionJunction9Eastbound.html

beertons · 18-07-2018 8:32pm

Dunno if it's road related, but there's some bang around Osberstown, at the waste treatment plant.

CeilingFly · 18-07-2018 11:46pm

I'll guess that with the area beside where the new osberstown bridge is going is now fully clear of everything and swept, that the precast components of the bridge are about to be delivered.

Stan27 · 19-07-2018 3:03am

Do people think the third lane on the motorways will actually work on increasing the traffic flow by a significant factor.
When there is heavy traffic on the M7, from the M9 and M7 split going southwards, will traffic flow actually improve massively??

Mantis Toboggan · 19-07-2018 10:26am

Deedsie wrote: »

Temporarily it will certainly improve things. However, unless we change our transport policy drastically from being focused on motor car dependency, the road will become congested again and the road network will always be susceptible to collisions and delays due to driver error.

Unfortunately there's no hope of our transport policy changing anytime soon so we've to make the best of what we got.

benny79 · 19-07-2018 10:30am

CeilingFly wrote: »

And your experience of drainage systems and road engineering is????????

I just cannot understand the whining posts of some people - maybe ask for information of the drainage rather that do a whining post especially when you have zero experience in the field. There are plenty of experienced people on these threads, but they tend to respond to reasonable queries than a whine

And you think that they can widen the road and then simply bolt on the two ne junctions later? Seriously?

Whinging posts??? eh I think Im entitled to whinge since Im a Irish citizen and have been driving back and forth to Dublin on this road the last 15 years! They extended the WHOLE of the N7 in half the time. That was 9 junctions long.. There was better planning, overtime & night time work. This is the Countries national road and one of the busiest... It should be giving priority. You dont need experience to see that.

Plus when they started the M50 they future planned it in case of expansion so when they did expand it was done quick..

The road is like Armageddon when the schools are in session. I wonder if our transport minister had to travel this route daily would it be done quicker :rolleyes:

Funny how similar projects all over the world are done in half the time! Its actually embarrassing. Kerry group had to give 10 million or whatever to get the project started in the first place.. but hey lets not moan about it...

Mantis Toboggan · 19-07-2018 10:52am

benny79 wrote: »

Whinging posts??? eh I think Im entitled to whinge since Im a Irish citizen and have been driving back and forth to Dublin on this road the last 15 years! They extended the WHOLE of the N7 in half the time. That was 9 junctions long.. There was better planning, overtime & night time work. This is the Countries national road and one of the busiest... It should be giving priority. You dont need experience to see that.

Plus when they started the M50 they future planned it in case of expansion so when they did expand it was done quick..

The road is like Armageddon when the schools are in session. I wonder if our transport minister had to travel this route daily would it be done quicker :rolleyes:

Funny how similar projects all over the world are done in half the time! Its actually embarrassing. Kerry group had to give 10 million or whatever to get the project started in the first place.. but hey lets not moan about it...

I actually agree this job should have been given priority. It'll be a mess again come September. You can be sure that Shane Ross isn't travelling this road every day.

Cookiemunster · 19-07-2018 10:53am

benny79 wrote: »

Whinging posts??? eh I think Im entitled to whinge since Im a Irish citizen and have been driving back and forth to Dublin on this road the last 15 years! They extended the WHOLE of the N7 in half the time. That was 9 junctions long.. There was better planning, overtime & night time work. This is the Countries national road and one of the busiest... It should be giving priority. You dont need experience to see that.

Plus when they started the M50 they future planned it in case of expansion so when they did expand it was done quick..

The road is like Armageddon when the schools are in session. I wonder if our transport minister had to travel this route daily would it be done quicker :rolleyes:

Funny how similar projects all over the world are done in half the time! Its actually embarrassing. Kerry group had to give 10 million or whatever to get the project started in the first place.. but hey lets not moan about it...

Any chance you could link to these projects?

benny79 · 19-07-2018 11:04am

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Any chance you could link to these projects?

The expansion of the N7 is one done in less than 2 years. The other ones around the world I'll link when I suddenly realise I dont have a life anymore :rolleyes:

Cookiemunster · 19-07-2018 11:27am

benny79 wrote: »

The expansion of the N7 is one done in less than 2 years. The other ones around the world I'll link when I suddenly realise I dont have a life anymore :rolleyes:

Ok so, your just making sweeping statements with no proof. Fair enough.

benny79 · 19-07-2018 2:08pm

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Ok so, your just making sweeping statements with no proof. Fair enough.

Eh the N7 is proof! Try keep up.

KOR101 · 19-07-2018 5:38pm

Came through last night. They seem really determined about speed. One sign said 237 prosecutions so far.

The traffic was still going at average speeds well above 60km/hr.

marno21 · 19-07-2018 6:03pm

KOR101 wrote: »

Came through last night. They seem really determined about speed. One sign said 237 prosecutions so far.

The traffic was still going at average speeds well above 60km/hr.

If they caught 237 in one day it would be less than 1% of traffic. Chances of getting caught are tiny

Kamili · 19-07-2018 9:55pm

Driving at the 60kph speed limit is dangerous, the amount of cars flying up behind and swerving out into the "fast lane" is unreal. Surprised there hasn't been more crashes there.

OldMrBrennan83 · 19-07-2018 9:57pm

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OldMrBrennan83 · 19-07-2018 9:58pm

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Kevwoody · 19-07-2018 10:07pm

Patww79 wrote:

This post has been deleted.

If the idiots speeding had to spend a full day working in the middle of a motorway, rather than sitting behind a desk in a nice safe office, they might slow down a bit.

Reati · 19-07-2018 10:56pm

It's nonsense they don't have average speed cameras along that stretch. Few do 60. I get blasted out of it everything I'm on it.

tom1ie · 20-07-2018 10:23am

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

This is the attitude that has Dublin ground to a halt.

Kamili · 20-07-2018 10:29am

tom1ie wrote: »

This is the attitude that has Dublin ground to a halt.

I don't think that's fair, I think the way public transport is run and managed in this country is the problem. Its unreliable and you quite often end up sitting beside some drunken junkie that shouts abuse and consumes alcohol on the way. Its not a pleasant experience and saying it to the bus or luas operators gets you nowhere.

Patww79 wrote: »

Driving at the 60km/h limit isn't what's dangerous, it's the ones doing more than the limit that are. Especially the ones doing so fast they can't see you in front of them.

People need to remember that everyone getting home in the evening in one piece is job number 1.

Agreed, sorry reading back my post thats not what I meant, its dangerous because of those en masse that break the limit, making it scary fro those that don't.

markpb · 20-07-2018 11:10am

Kamili wrote: »

Driving at the 60kph speed limit is dangerous, the amount of cars flying up behind and swerving out into the "fast lane" is unreal. Surprised there hasn't been more crashes there.

Isn't the fact that there have been no serious crashes proof that doing 60kpkh isn't dangerous?

Daz_ · 20-07-2018 11:15am

markpb wrote: »

Isn't the fact that there have been no serious crashes proof that doing 60kpkh isn't dangerous?

Yeah , let’s wait for someone to die before we act sensibly ..

Kamili · 20-07-2018 11:23am

markpb wrote: »

Isn't the fact that there have been no serious crashes proof that doing 60kpkh isn't dangerous?

read my previous post, I phrased that wrong - its the majority of people on that section that are speeding, that make it dangerous for those that stick to the 60kph limit.

I've had so many near and very near misses keeping to the 60kph from people travelling at much higher speeds coming up behind me (even though I am in the leftmost lane) and swerving/braking last minute to avoid me, and then getting aggressive behind me for having the nerve to stick to the speed limit.

There have been a multitude of bad crashes already on that stretch which is why I am surprised there haven't been more, and more serious ones.

20-07-2018 11:24am

Having a low speed limit when it is not necessary causes frustration and often leads to drivers ignoring it, it is better to vary the speed to match the risk as and when the works progress.

https://transport-network.co.uk/Highways-England-to-trial-variable-speed-limits-on-motorway-roadworks/15173

Highways England is to test whether speed limits through motorway roadworks can be increased to up to 60mph at weekends or different speeds used in different directions through the same works.

_Kaiser_ · 20-07-2018 1:47pm

60 km/h is far too low for the level of work during the day. 80 is far more suited and wouldn't be ignored as readily. If you have stupidly nonsensical limits (low or high!) people will become desensitised and drive to their own idea of appropriate which is worse.

However, when they reduce it to one lane as I've seen at night after 10/11pm then 60 is more than enough.

OldMrBrennan83 · 20-07-2018 2:18pm

This post has been deleted.

CeilingFly · 20-07-2018 3:31pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Having a low speed limit when it is not necessary causes frustration and often leads to drivers ignoring it, it is better to vary the speed to match the risk as and when the works progress.

Th UK limit is currently 50mph - so if they used UK best practice the limit would be 80kmh to match UK.

And as you say, they are looking at increasing certain limits to 60mph on specific stretches where the higher spec barriers are in operation (the same barriers they are using on the M7)

Even the gardai think 80kmh would be a better limit and all those caught speeding to date have been doing over 100 kmh because gardai are human and use common sense.

On the works - final layers in the current section are starting to be laid - this is obviously the quickest work as its simply throwing down stone and rolling it out before the tarmac layers are put down.

garbeth · 20-07-2018 10:38pm

Does any one believe that there has been over 200 convictions on this road. I travel it ten times a week and have never been caught. I would go at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions and yes that would most of the time be over the 60. My brother also drives it and neither has has a fine or anyone else I know that would do the same commute.

CeilingFly · 20-07-2018 10:50pm

garbeth wrote: »

Does any one believe that there has been over 200 convictions on this road. I travel it ten times a week and have never been caught. I would go at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions and yes that would most of the time be over the 60. My brother also drives it and neither has has a fine or anyone else I know that would do the same commute.

There are approximately 30,000 "movements" a day on that section.

The works started 200 days ago.

That's circa 6 MILLION movements

230ish out of 6 Million

Put it another way, how many people do you know that got 5 numbers in the lottery in the last 2 months - same odds.

Keep reasonable speed for the conditions pertaining at the time you are driving and you'll be fine.

OldMrBrennan83 · 20-07-2018 10:51pm

This post has been deleted.

beertons · 20-07-2018 10:56pm

Lane closures tonight. Anyone been through?

M7 - Naas/Newbridge Bypass Upgrade [Junction 9a now open]

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