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N13/N56 - Letterkenny Relief Road/DC upgrade [preferred route published; at design]

  • 08-11-2010 6:00pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,104 ✭✭✭


    Not sure if this has been posted, an update on the website from a few weeks back.

    http://www.donegalcoco.ie/services/roadstransport/majorprojects/N56+Letterkenny+Relief+Road.htm

    Absolutely no connection between this and the upcoming by-election in Donegal SW. None whatsoever

    N56 Letterkenny Relief Road

    N56 Letterkenny Relief Road
    Last Updated 22/10/10

    Introduction
    The National Secondary Route N56 links the towns of Donegal in the South West of the County with Letterkenny in the North East via the towns of Mountcharles, Dunkineely, Ardara, Glenties Dungloe, Loughanure, Gweedore, Gortahork, Falcarragh. Dunfanaghy, Creeslough and Kilmacrenan.
    The N56 enters Letterkenny at Mountaintop. From there it continues until it reaches the Pramerica Roundabout where it turns left onto the recently constructed road serving the IDA Business Park. The N56 then proceeds through a series of priority junctions until it links to the R245 Ramelton Road where it turns right and continues to join with the National Primary Route N14 at the Polestar Roundabout.
    The regular congestion at the Polestar Roundabout together with the frequent interaction with local traffc, requiring longer distance traffic to yield to local traffic in some cases, results in a relatively low level of service on the N56 within Letterkenny. This is particularly the case during times when traffic flows are at their peak.

    The Need for the Project
    The existing road that is proposed to be replaced by this scheme can be split into two distinct sections;
    - The N14 from the Dry Arch Roundabout to the Port Bridge Roundabout and;
    - The N56 from the N14 Polestar Roundabout to the recently constructed N56 IDA road.

    The N14 is a 1.4km long four lane undivided road with frequent commercial access points, right turning lanes, at-grade priority junctions and high traffic volumes currently 29,609 AADT. This section is usually heavily congested at peak times with the Polestar Roundabout being particularly problematic.

    The N56 is a 1.8km long single carriageway road of varying standard with frequent access (both commercial and residential), two roundabout junctions and three at-grade priority junctions. The volume of existing traffic varies between 7,761 AADT and 17,161 AADT. National road traffic is forced to yield to local traffic at two of the three at-grade priority junctions resulting in congestion at peak times.

    At present there are only two existing crossing points of the River Swilly within Letterkenny, one on the N14 and one at Old Town. The bridge at Old Town mainly caters for local traffic movements leaving the N14 bridge to cater for all other traffic. The need for a second bridge for strategic traffic has long been acknowledged.

    A traffic model has been prepared for Letterkenny and this model predicts that the N56 Letterkenny Relief Road, by relieving congestion at the N14/N56 Polestar Roundabout and by providing another river crossing, will result in a significant easing of congestion generally throughout Letterkenny.

    Description of the Project
    The proposed N56 Letterkenny Relief Road extends from the N13/N14 Dry Arch Roundabout to the recently constructed N56 IDA road. It is approx. 2.4 km long and is proposed to replace approx. 3.2 km of existing national road.
    There are some significant constraints associated with the project that will need to be considered in a lot of detail at the Preliminary Design stage. These are;
    • River Swilly Special Area of Conservation and Natural Heritage Area are located in close proximity.
    • Construction on the flood plain of the River Swilly is likely. Flood protection bunds are already in place and it is expected that this project can be designed so as to have a negligible impact on the movement of flood waters.
    • There are some very deep sections of soft ground on the eastern side of the River Swilly which will complicate the design of the new bridge.
    • This project will involve the construction of a new 100m div river bridge.

    Current Status
    To date the project has been developed by Donegal County Council staff in the National Roads Design Office in Donegal Town, with specialist consultants being employed as necessary.
    The Route Selection process has been completed and the Council have approved the Preferred Route at their Meeting on 26th April 2010.
    A supplementary budget of €50,000 was made available for this project in June 2010.
    It is planned to use this budget to carry out some preliminary ground investigation works. A geotechnical engineer has been appointed to advise on the scope of the testing required and some preliminary tests have been carried out. The main testing works are being tendered at present.

    Next Steps
    The next stage of this project is to develop the preliminary design and assess the environmental impact to allow an application for planning approval to be made to An Bord Pleanála. This is dependent on sufficient funding being available.

    Enquiries
    Any enquiries should be forwarded to the National Roads Design Office at the Donegal Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town or telephone (074) 9724500 for the attention of Brendan O’Donnell, Senior Executive Engineer or Mark Gallagher, Executive or alternatively e-mail design@dnrdo.ie

    Proposed Layout


«13

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Harps


    Correct, Letterkenny is in Donegal NW..

    Its badly needed at the moment, Port Road is a nightmare around rush hour, the entire length of the road is usually gridlocked in both directions. As long as it comes in at a reasonable price I'd naturally be in favour of it


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,078 ✭✭✭salonfire


    What would happen if the Port Bridge had to close for any reason?

    Would all North Donegal be cut off from the rest of the country? :eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,548 ✭✭✭Harps


    No, theres more bridges further west but it would effectively cut off the town from the south and N Ireland. You could still use the Oldtown Bridge but its only a two lane bridge and the approach road is only designed for local traffic so it could never cope with 30,000 vehicles a day


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,226 ✭✭✭Redsoxfan


    Harps wrote: »
    Correct, Letterkenny is in Donegal NW..

    It's actually Donegal NE ;)

    If the OP was indeed suggesting that the prospect of a relief road on Letterkenny was a sop to the constituents in Donegal SW, then they're way off-if FF wanted to make an announcement that would win votes in the by-election, then something (positive) on the Ballybofey/Stranorlar bypass would be the way to do it.

    Anyway, this is interesting. Hard to see it going ahead in the near future given the costs involved in bridging the Swilly (bridges don't come cheap I'm sure?). Plus, would there be objections from conservationists? I'm not aware of any rare flora and fauna in the area under consideration, but I'm sure there are some manner of snails in residence....


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,098 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    The most positive thing on the twin towns bypass would be resubmitting to ABP. It'd still be some time off getting planning permission even then.


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  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Seen mentions of this on the Oireachtas written answers and now according to Highland Radio this will be progressed through the planning stages.

    http://www.highlandradio.com/2016/07/14/engineers-to-consider-three-road-projects-in-donegal/


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    This scheme also includes an upgrade of the existing low standard N13 dual carraigeway between Letterkenny and Manorcunningham


  • Registered Users Posts: 667 ✭✭✭BelfastVanMan


    Does thst mean there will be side accesses closed off, and/or the provision of a new, grade seperated junction along the existing N13 dualler, where the sharpest bend is, on top of the hill?


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    MOD: This scheme has now been integrated a scheme to bypass Letterkenny on the N56 along with an upgrade of the existing dual carraigeway between Letterkenny and Manorcunningham.

    https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders/ViewNotice/187380

    Tender awarded to RPS Halcrow Barry, as posted above by annfield1978.


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21




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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    Good to hear, the link road is a tiny job in the grand scheme of things yet seems to have been dragged along for years with no progress.

    Any clues as to what the DC upgrade involves? Grade separation I assume? There seems to be perpetual small upgrades to this road, I wish they'd just do a proper job on it and be done with it

    Hopefully sorting out this dangerous mess of a junction will be part of the works

    2zjjp4y.png


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    TII are looking to perform traffic surveys this month along the relevant routes to this scheme:

    https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=120002&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭D Trent


    Does anyone know is the plan for North/south traffic (Ballybofey - Letterkenny traffic) to flyover the Dual carriageway east/west traffic (Letterkenny-Lifford and Derry)

    Or will the east/west dual carriageway traffic flyover the north/south traffic where Bonagee roundabout is currently ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    I've always assumed it'll just be kept as a roundabout at the Dry Arch, there's not a lot of space there for grade separation. It's not really a traffic pinch point anyway, the next roundabout at Port Bridge is where the problems start


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,341 ✭✭✭D Trent


    bonageelink.jpg
    I'd be confident that it will be grade separated


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    I've always assumed it'll just be kept as a roundabout at the Dry Arch, there's not a lot of space there for grade separation. It's not really a traffic pinch point anyway, the next roundabout at Port Bridge is where the problems start
    It's not a traffic pinch point simply because traffic has to go through a pinch point already to arrive here.

    N13/N56 should be grade seperated.

    The future N14/N13 dual carraigeway junction should also be grade seperated. If the N13 stretch warrants dual carraigeway then a similarly powered junction needs to be considered to connect them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    Hard to see whats happening on that map, where the road splits in two it cuts right through an industrial estate so I'm not sure how that's going to work. I know DCC have already purchased the petrol station on the roundabout but having to tear down the NCT centre and other industrial units surely won't be happening

    N13/14 grade separation should definitely be done though and should be relatively easy as there's no development around the existing roundabout


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Progression timeline for this scheme which includes the upgrade of the N13 DC near Letterkenny

    Stage | Completion date
    Public consultation on route options | Q2 2018
    Preferred route selection | Q3 2018
    Completion of preliminary design | Q1 2020
    Publication of CPO & EIS | Q3 2020


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Public consultation on this taking place next week:
    Donegal wrote:
    RPS CH2M Barry assessed the Constraints within the defined study areas for the Project and presented these to the public at a consultation held on 6th December 2017.

    The Design Team have taken feedback obtained during the consultation meetings and are currently progressing with the route selection process including the development and assessment of route options for the three Sections, which will be presented at public consultations to be held as follows:

    Where: When: Time:
    Radisson Blu, Letterkenny Tuesday 17th April 2018 2:00pm - 8:00pm
    County House,Donegal County Council, Lifford Wednesday 18th April 2018 2:00pm - 8:00pm
    Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey Thursday 19th April, 2018 2:00pm - 8:00pm


    The Emerging Preferred Route will be identified during the second half of 2018 and presented to the public to obtain further feedback, prior to the Preferred Route being confirmed.

    Following confirmation of the Preferred Route, a Design and Environmental Impact Statement will be produced.

    Any comments/queries can be submitted via our online Feedback Form


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Route options are now up for public consultation. More information at www.donegal-ten-t.ie

    Public consultation brochure: http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/download_gallery/Public_Consultation_-_Stage_1_(Brochure)(1).pdf

    Overall route options: http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/download_gallery/SECTION%202%20-%20OVERALL%20ROUTE%20CORRIDORS.pdf

    Individual route options: http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/download_gallery/SECTION%202%20-%20INDIVIDUAL%20ROUTE%20CORRIDORS.pdf

    Primary focus here is on upgrading the N13 dual carraigeway as it's a deficient part of the TEN-T network. The N56 option is not hence it being a "link route"


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  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Publication of the emerging preferred route for this scheme has now been deferred to Q1 2019. As a result the project submission to An Bord Pleanala will not happen until the first half of 2021. That'll be 5 years for Phases 1-4


  • Registered Users Posts: 232 ✭✭Heartbreak Hank


    Was up there recently - is this possibly the most car dependent town in the whole country? Apart from Main Street, which is pretty nice, it is a very unpleasant town to walk around. Maybe this road will reduce the through traffic and they can implement some traffic reduction measures in the town centre.


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Public consultation on emerging preferred route in the next 2 weeks. Details at this link: http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/pages/timelineandoutlook.php


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Emerging preferred route:

    http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/download_gallery/SECTION%202%20-%20%20EMERGING%20PREFERRED%20ROUTE%20CORRIDOR.pdf

    Quite a lot included, relief road with new bridge, upgrade to the DC including a grade seperated junction, and a new section of N13 heading south


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭Donegal Storm


    Good to see they're planning on grade separating the DC. What's the idea with the new section of the Ballybofey road though? Looks messy and all it seems to achieve is adding an extra roundabout on the existing DC.


  • Registered Users Posts: 232 ✭✭Heartbreak Hank


    marno21 wrote: »
    Emerging preferred route:

    http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/download_gallery/SECTION%202%20-%20%20EMERGING%20PREFERRED%20ROUTE%20CORRIDOR.pdf

    Quite a lot included, relief road with new bridge, upgrade to the DC including a grade seperated junction, and a new section of N13 heading south


    Is there a plan to upgrade the c.10 km between the northern end of the Ballybofey bypass and the southern end of this scheme?


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,317 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Is there a plan to upgrade the c.10 km between the northern end of the Ballybofey bypass and the southern end of this scheme?

    It's on the list of schemes that were rejected for the National Development Plan, so likely post 2030


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    Has anyone any inside info on this road project?

    http://www.donegal-ten-t.ie/media/do...20CORRIDOR.pdf

    My mums house is looking like being effected in that the dual carriageway outside letterkenny is being re-aligned for the new roundabout and she’ll lose her front garden and driveway and half the garden at the side. As her house is on a slight hill above the dual carriageway the bank looks like it will start roughly 8/10 ft from her house and will make the garage inaccessible.

    We were at a meeting with engineers a few weeks ago who stated that the design is not the final draft however looking at the plans and diagrams it appears that there has been a considerable amount of planning already done and it isn’t just a simple line drawn on a map and I don’t honestly believe there is much more tweaking to be done to it.

    Obviously there’ll CPO’s for land/houses but does anyone know what happens when they don’t need to take the entire house but are building the road so close that the owner no longer wants to live there, do they agree to buy the house in those cases or will they fight the owner to buy only what they need?


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,228 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    They're not obliged to, but if your house is the only one impacted this way, they probably will offer to if you make enough of a fuss.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    No its not the only one being impacted, there is one house which will definitely have to be demolished and my mums and her next door neighbours which will lose their entire front garden and have the proposed boundary fence within feet of their front doors effectively making the houses in-saleable once the road is finished.

    Part of the problem with my mums and her neighbours also is that they have a right of way through another persons land to get their houses so the council will have to move the driveway further inward which could lead to problems as it is then no longer an established right of way and the landowner could refuse to lose anymore of his land to provide a driveway for my mum and her neighbour. There is no other way of getting into her property due to the fact the house is built on a hill and entry from the rear of the property is far too steep to make a new entrance


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