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

Leonard Hofstadter · 25-06-2019 2:26pm

When will it go back to 120 kph? Next month? Great to hear part of it is already up to 80 anyway!

Stan27 · 25-06-2019 6:36pm

Hi.
Just back in the country after being away for 2 years and trying to figure out travel times.
I have to be in Phoenix park at 9 tomorrow morning.
Leaving kilcullen area.
How long should I give ?
Thanks

BPKS · 25-06-2019 6:59pm

Is the road fully complete now? 3 lanes both ways with 100/120kph limits?

_Kaiser_ · 25-06-2019 8:32pm

BPKS wrote: »

Is the road fully complete now? 3 lanes both ways with 100/120kph limits?

No.. It's now 3 lanes between exit 8/9 and 10 (both directions) but restricted to 80 km/h. It's still 60 between exit 10 and the Carlow exit/merge.

Most cars seem to be doing anywhere up to 100 on the new stretch though.

benny79 · 26-06-2019 9:15am

Anyone know why there is such a big gap between the 2 walled barriers in the centre between junction 11 & 10. Its nearly 2 lanes wide. Bit strange as its tarmacked so its not as if they are going to be planting trees.

Pablod · 26-06-2019 9:39am

benny79 wrote: »

Anyone know why there is such a big gap between the 2 walled barriers in the centre between junction 11 & 10. Its nearly 2 lanes wide. Bit strange as its tarmacked so its not as if they are going to be planting trees.

Its for this time next year when they realise that the extra 1 lane wasn't enough :pac:
Wouldn't put it past them....

benny79 · 26-06-2019 11:51am

Pablod wrote: »

Its for this time next year when they realise that the extra 1 lane wasn't enough :pac:
Wouldn't put it past them....

Ha.. It narrows as you approach the bridges.. Probably a drive tru Costa coffee

Emme · 26-06-2019 12:11pm

Stan27 wrote: »

Hi.
Just back in the country after being away for 2 years and trying to figure out travel times.
I have to be in Phoenix park at 9 tomorrow morning.
Leaving kilcullen area.
How long should I give ?
Thanks

I'd give it 2 hours to be on the safe side.

Dero123 · 26-06-2019 12:14pm

benny79 wrote: »

Anyone know why there is such a big gap between the 2 walled barriers in the centre between junction 11 & 10. Its nearly 2 lanes wide. Bit strange as its tarmacked so its not as if they are going to be planting trees.

Someone told me it’s related to drainage works, doubt it myself but you never know

Mantis Toboggan · 26-06-2019 12:56pm

Dero123 wrote: »

Someone told me it’s related to drainage works, doubt it myself but you never know

Yeah it seems like a complete waste of space.

ZX7R · 26-06-2019 1:22pm

Saw that also, could it be for a bridge in the future.

GhostyMcGhost · 26-06-2019 8:47pm

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

When will it go back to 120 kph? Next month? Great to hear part of it is already up to 80 anyway!

We're allowed discuss speed limits again? Cool!

My honest feeling is that It will revert to 100km as they'll use the excuse used with M50 that the lanes are smaller and are not suitable for 120km... I'd bet my house on it that's how it's going to end up

Cookiemunster · 26-06-2019 9:02pm

GhostyMcGhost wrote: »

We're allowed discuss speed limits again? Cool!

My honest feeling is that It will revert to 100km as they'll use the excuse used with M50 that the lanes are smaller and are not suitable for 120km... I'd bet my house on it that's how it's going to end up

You'll be homeless if you do that.......

soundman45 · 26-06-2019 11:04pm

100kph and be moving better than sitting in the s×+t we put up with for last few years.

27-06-2019 7:48am

soundman45 wrote: »

100kph and be moving better than sitting in the s×+t we put up with for last few years.

Do ye honestly think they are going to go from a 2 lane 120km motorway to a 3 lane 100km motorway? That kind of "progress" would be very hard to justify.

Are the current lane sizes permanent or will they be wider when fully open?

_Kaiser_ · 27-06-2019 9:58am

I think that's it from the size perspective. It's easily capable of 120 - most cars already are doing close to 100 on the new stretch.

Plus I think it''s been confirmed that it'll be 120 when fully completed anyway.

Tomrota · 27-06-2019 12:07pm

soundman45 wrote: »

100kph and be moving better than sitting in the s×+t we put up with for last few years.

Half the cars on the N7 do well over 100km/h. Sometimes I’m tailgated for doing around 102km/h on the N7 by a white van, until it overtakes at about 130km/h. I’ve never seen the majority of cars on the N7 go below 100. So I don’t know what the hell difference putting up 100 or 120km/h signposts would do. People will do 120 regardless.

27-06-2019 12:18pm

Tomrota wrote: »

So I don’t know what the hell difference putting up 100 or 120km/h signposts would do. People will do 120 regardless.

You know the reason, the vast majority of people that speed at least do it relevant to the baseline. Hence they'll go 80 in a 70 or 130 in a 120. Most speeders wont (some will) wont do 130 in a 100.

Most cars do 120 or there abouts on a motorway say 70%, another 20% or so will go around 130 and a final 10% will do > than 130.

riddlinrussell · 27-06-2019 12:22pm

Does anyone have any serious suggestions for why the end section near J11 is so wide inside the barriers anyway? Seems a bizarre waste of space.

BelfastVanMan · 27-06-2019 12:34pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Does anyone have any serious suggestions for why the end section near J11 is so wide inside the barriers anyway? Seems a bizarre waste of space.

Future widening? :-D

27-06-2019 12:43pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Does anyone have any serious suggestions for why the end section near J11 is so wide inside the barriers anyway? Seems a bizarre waste of space.

If it is on a right hand bend, then it is for visibility as the concrete barrier will block the view for drivers in low slung vehicles.

riddlinrussell · 27-06-2019 12:45pm

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Future widening? :-D

Maybe they plan to widen it all the way to the M8 :eek:

Darc19 · 27-06-2019 3:53pm

benny79 wrote: »

Anyone know why there is such a big gap between the 2 walled barriers in the centre between junction 11 & 10. Its nearly 2 lanes wide. Bit strange as its tarmacked so its not as if they are going to be planting trees.

Is it close to the m9 merge?

Isn't there some potential long-term plans for the m9 to be extended towards drogheda?

Leinster Outer orbital or something like that.

If so, then overpass Bridge will be needed and the space is probably for that.

riddlinrussell · 27-06-2019 4:11pm

Darc19 wrote: »

Is it close to the m9 merge?

Isn't there some potential long-term plans for the m9 to be extended towards drogheda?

Leinster Outer orbital or something like that.

If so, then overpass Bridge will be needed and the space is probably for that.

Oooh good point! Although it goes on for a decent distance its not just at the merge.

BelfastVanMan · 27-06-2019 10:43pm

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Darc19 wrote: »

Is it close to the m9 merge?

Isn't there some potential long-term plans for the m9 to be extended towards drogheda?

Leinster Outer orbital or something like that.

If so, then overpass Bridge will be needed and the space is probably for that.

Oooh good point! Although it goes on for a decent distance its not just at the merge.

The M7 from Jct 10 to a little way after Jct 11, from memory, was opened in 1993, and was built to the earlier, full motorway-standard D2M specs, with room for future 3-laning, much like the M4 Leixlip to Kilcock and the M1.

_Kaiser_ · 28-06-2019 10:59am

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

The M7 from Jct 10 to a little way after Jct 11, from memory, was opened in 1993, and was built to the earlier, full motorway-standard D2M specs, with room for future 3-laning, much like the M4 Leixlip to Kilcock and the M1.

They probably should have just thrown in the west/southbound exit from M9 to M7 @ J11 while they were at it. Same applies to the M8 junction.

Cazale · 28-06-2019 1:18pm

Speed van setting up this morning Dublin bound just as it goes to 80km after junction 10. Be aware!

Emme · 28-06-2019 1:24pm

Cazale wrote: »

Speed van setting up this morning Dublin bound just as it goes to 80km after junction 10. Be aware!

They just can't miss a revenue-gathering opportunity, can they? Now some people will stick to 60 all the way and cause ructions at morning and evening rush hour.

_Kaiser_ · 28-06-2019 1:31pm

Cazale wrote: »

Speed van setting up this morning Dublin bound just as it goes to 80km after junction 10. Be aware!

On the new ramp they've put in I assume?

Cazale · 28-06-2019 1:40pm

_Kaiser_ wrote:

On the new ramp they've put in I assume?

Yeah that's the one.

CrabRevolution · 28-06-2019 2:45pm

Emme wrote: »

They just can't miss a revenue-gathering opportunity, can they? Now some people will stick to 60 all the way and cause ructions at morning and evening rush hour.

Boards should set up a system where every post about speed vans that mentions "revenue gathering" "money making" "racket" etc. gets an automatic reply stating that the speed vans actually cost more money than they take in fines, and make no profit.

Last Stop · 28-06-2019 3:07pm

CrabRevolution wrote: »

Boards should set up a system where every post about speed vans that mentions "revenue gathering" "money making" "racket" etc. gets an automatic reply stating that the speed vans actually cost more money than they take in fines, and make no profit.

Also add in that if you don’t break the speed limit they don’t cost you a cent :rolleyes:

rameire · 28-06-2019 3:26pm

Last Stop wrote: »

Also add in that if you don’t break the speed limit they don’t cost you a cent :rolleyes:

Some people just like to give out.

28-06-2019 5:16pm

CrabRevolution wrote: »

Boards should set up a system where every post about speed vans that mentions "revenue gathering" "money making" "racket" etc. gets an automatic reply stating that the speed vans actually cost more money than they take in fines, and make no profit.

The operators must make a profit, otherwise they wouldn't provide the service!
In which case we all pay for them, and speeders pay twice.

marno21 · 28-06-2019 5:24pm

MOD:

Can we return to the M7 upgrade rather than talking about the economics of the speed van operation please

Discussion of the speed limit changes ongoing with this project is obviously ok.

Cazale · 29-06-2019 11:10am

Crews working last night at half nine and again this morning at seven when I drove by. They were focusing on the third lanes between junction 10 and 11.

Mantis Toboggan · 29-06-2019 11:28am

Cazale wrote: »

Crews working last night at half nine and again this morning at seven when I drove by. They were focusing on the third lanes between junction 10 and 11.

It took a while but finally we're seeing the urgency required. Fair play to SIAC for upping their game in recent months. I'd imagine they're was a few bollockings handed out and a few heads rolled.

Charles Babbage · 29-06-2019 11:54am

GhostyMcGhost wrote: »

We're allowed discuss speed limits again? Cool!

My honest feeling is that It will revert to 100km as they'll use the excuse used with M50 that the lanes are smaller and are not suitable for 120km... I'd bet my house on it that's how it's going to end up

Nonsense. The M1 is 120kph. The issue with the M50 is frequent junctions and congestion.

veryangryman · 30-06-2019 3:10pm

Did sallins get done as part of this project

WishUWereHere · 30-06-2019 3:21pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Did sallins get done as part of this project

I have friends up in Sallins, and from what they tell me, it's nowhere near complete yet. I do think though there seems to be an emphasis on moving J10 down ( SB ) asap. I think with the bridge at KG and all this, is in conjunction with the Sallins by-pass.

I could be wrong though.

riddlinrussell · 01-07-2019 10:53am

WishUWereHere wrote: »

I have friends up in Sallins, and from what they tell me, it's nowhere near complete yet. I do think though there seems to be an emphasis on moving J10 down ( SB ) asap. I think with the bridge at KG and all this, is in conjunction with the Sallins by-pass.

I could be wrong though.

Sallins resident here, yes the Sallins bypass is considerably less advanced than the widening, not too fussed about it myself, obviously priority was on getting the motorway sorted, the bypass was almost more of a 'bonus' on the project.
I could see them getting the 9a Junction finished and linked in to the Naas ring road side before the rest of the bypass is finished as a sop to Kerry Group, it probably wouldn't make traffic worse as the cars coming off to go through Sallins will be making a shorter journey on a less congested bit of the ring road than the Monread section, then taking the first exit on a roundabout instead of the third exit as is currently the standard for commuters.
The motorway bridge section is much more complete than the rest, although most of the 'big work' (earthworks, bridge piling) has been substantially completed on the bypass also, I could see the remainder of it flying up quite quick once the widening is done, as it doesn't have too much traffic closure to deal with (Osberstown road is already closed for the works and wastewater work further up, the tie in beyond Sallins will be last minute stuff)

BuzzFish · 02-07-2019 11:01am

Great to see the new surface being put down past the site of these works on to PortLaoise:

Kildare County Council gives notice, in accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act, 1993 that it will close:

The M7 eastbound (overnight closures) between Junction 12 and Junction 11 (M7 & M9 merge).

Friday/Saturday 12 to 13 July 2019 21.30 to 07.00 hrs
Saturday/Sunday 13 to 14 July 2019 21.30 to 09.00 hrs
Friday/Saturday 19 to 20 July 2019 21.30 to 07.00 hrs
Saturday/Sunday 20 to 21 July 2019 21.30 to 09.00 hrs
Friday/Saturday 26to 27 July 2019 21.30 to 07.00 hrs
Saturday/Sunday 27 to 28 July 2019 21.30 to 07.00 hrs

These overnight closures are required to facilitate the resurfacing of the existing pavement. It is expected that the works will take only two nights but additional closures have been booked in case of unforeseen delays and or poor weather.

The M7 westbound (overnight closures) between Junction 11 (M7 & M9 diverge) and Junction 12

Dates of the closure: Hours of Closure:
Saturday/Sunday 13 to 14 July 2019 21.00 to 09.00 hrs
Sunday/Monday 14 to 15 July 2019 21.00 to 06.30 hrs
Saturday/Sunday 20 to 21 July 2019 21.00 to 09.00 hrs
Sunday/Monday 21 to 22 July 2019 21.00 to 06.30 hrs

The M7 westbound (overnight closures) between Junction 13 (Kildare) and Junction 16 (Portlaoise).
- Includes the M7 Junction 14 westbound merge slip road (overnight closures)
- Includes M7 Junction 15 westbound merge slip road (overnight closures)

Dates of the closure:
Friday, 2 August - Wednesday, 28 August 2019
Monday, 2 September - Monday, 30 September 2019

Hours of closure:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9.00 p.m. – 7.00 a.m.
Fridays: 10.00 p.m. – 9.00 a.m.
Saturdays: 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 a.m.
Sundays: 8.00 p.m. – 7.00 a.m.

The M7 eastbound (overnight closures) between Junction 16 (Portlaoise) and Junction 13 (Kildare).
- Includes M7 Junction 15 eastbound merge slip road (overnight closures)
- Includes M7 Junction 14 eastbound merge slip road (overnight closures)

Dates of the closure: Monday, 8 July – Wednesday, 28 August 2019

Hours of closure:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 8.00 p.m. – 6.00 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 9.00 p.m. – 8.00 a.m.
Sundays: 10.00 p.m. – 6.00 a.m.

All these closures are required to facilitate the resurfacing of the pavement.

02-07-2019 11:22am

The M7 westbound (overnight closures) between Junction 13 (Kildare) and Junction 16 (Portlaoise).
- Includes the M7 Junction 14 westbound merge slip road (overnight closures)
- Includes M7 Junction 15 westbound merge slip road (overnight closures)

I was wondering why they'd conned off so much down to one lane - still not sure, but at least now it's official.

jmkennedyie · 02-07-2019 3:39pm

Some pics from today of Sallins bypass works.

champchamp · 04-07-2019 4:08pm

When is the Sallins bypass due to open?

patrickc · 05-07-2019 10:20am

now all we need is for people to use the 3 lanes correctly! the 4 times I've used it up and down it's all middle lane hoggers and outside lane.

SoupyNorman · 05-07-2019 10:52am

patrickc wrote: »

now all we need is for people to use the 3 lanes correctly! the 4 times I've used it up and down it's all middle lane hoggers and outside lane.

Complaining about this behavior is a futile exercise, the issue isn’t just about the middle laners it’s the fact that when you try to actively keep to the left lane and you come across a car merging from the left drivers in the middle lane will do their utmost to not let you in thus you have to slow down to the merging cars/trucks speed.

I think the majority all drive in the middle lane consciously or sub-consciously for this reason.

_Kaiser_ · 05-07-2019 11:29am

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Complaining about this behavior is a futile exercise, the issue isn’t just about the middle laners it’s the fact that when you try to actively keep to the left lane and you come across a car merging from the left drivers in the middle lane will do their utmost to not let you in thus you have to slow down to the merging cars/trucks speed.

I think the majority all drive in the middle lane consciously or sub-consciously for this reason.

There's also idiots dawdling into the driving lane from slip-roads at 20-40 km/h below the limit, people diving for exits at the last minute, and generally coasting along holding everyone up for no reason (pro top: if you're being overtaken by 40ft trucks you're driving too slowly!)

At peak busy times, I generally stick to lane 3 (same on the M50) because at least that way you only have 1 lane of muppetry to worry about - but I don't dawdle or hold others up either, don't lane weave, and move for the exit in plenty of time, indicating in advance too (something else that rarely happens!)

Personally I reckon that if this new lane contains the trucks and dawdlers, it'll have been worthwhile just for that.

Stan27 · 05-07-2019 4:14pm

how successful will this project actually be ?

I always though the issue was too much traffic going the limerick way, where the motorways split.

_Kaiser_ · 05-07-2019 4:24pm

Stan27 wrote: »

how successful will this project actually be ?

I always though the issue was too much traffic going the limerick way, where the motorways split.

It'll help with the evening rush - although I expect a lot of the issues will move a few km down the road to the M9 split alright (it's bad enough at the same junction on the other side in the mornings - accidents and idiocy aplenty)

Inbound it'll probably help the rush to the M50... although the N7 is frequently at a standstill/crawl from exit 7 anyway so maybe not such a big change after all?

We won't really know till September/October when it's (hopefully!) fully done and the schools/colleges are back.

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

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