[Article] NTR call for M50 upgrade as traffic increases

Victor

I read this as "Please spend €500 of public money to increase our profits".

http://www.rte.ie/business/2004/0504/NTR.html

NTR call for M50 upgrade as traffic increases
May 04, 2004 16:58

The National Toll Roads (NTR) have reiterated the importance of upgrading Dublin's M50 after new quarterly figures showed that traffic at the West-Link increased by 9%.

In a statement, NTR said that this increase to 98,000 vehicles is set to increase further over the summer with record traffic volumes anticipated for July and August.

Tony McClafferty, Managing Director of NTR's Road Division said "In light of these significant increases in traffic volumes, the upgrade of the M50 must receive the immediate attention of all interested parties".

The company said Eazy Pass had speeded up throughput at the toll booths and this service would be expanded. On Tuesday, 2nd March, a record 7,800 vehicles were processed in one hour through West-Link.

Traffic at the West-Link toll facility has shown a significant increase since the opening of the second West-Link Bridge in September 2003.

DaithiSurfer

I think you read it right.

Answer - slap a compulsory purchase order(they do it to the ordinary joe) on the toll bridge and get rid of the toll booths.
A lot more than 7800 cars can then move past there in an hour.

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/3131544?view=Eircomnet

M50 upgrade needs immediate attention - NTR
From:ireland.com
Tuesday, 4th May, 2004

The company that manages the West Link toll bridge in Dublin has said the upgrading of the M50 motorway should receive immediate attention after record increases in traffic through the bridge.

NTR figures for the first quarter of 2004 show that traffic at the West Link increased by 9.3 per cent between January and March. Up to 98,000 vehicles a day now pass through the bridge.

"We are pleased with the increase in traffic at West-Link and will continue to develop the Eazy Pass service as a way of even further speeding up throughput at the toll booths. We anticipate record traffic levels during the summer holiday months of July and August at our three toll facilities," said Mr Tony McClafferty, managing director of NTR's road division.

"In light of these significant increases in traffic volumes, the upgrade of the M50 must receive the immediate attention of all interested parties."

The week beginning April 19th was the first week in the company's history that the West Link processed in excess of 600,000 vehicles, with an average daily throughput of 84,409, the figures show.

On Tuesday March 2nd, what was described as "a record" 7,800 vehicles was processed in one hour.

Peak-hour traffic has increased by 15 per cent since the introduction of an extra toll lane in each direction at the West Link in September last year.

NTR also said some 56,000 customers now use the Eazy Pass electronic toll collection system, with 37 per cent of all vehicles using it during peak hours. Some 57 per cent of commercial vehicles use Eazy Pass.

NTR also operates the East Link toll bridge and the new North Link toll plaza on the M1 at Drogheda. The company says that on a busy day the three facilities handle a combined 140,000 toll customers.

In response to NTR's calls, the Progressive Democrats transport spokesman, Senator Tom Morrissey, said the proposed upgrade of the M50 should not go ahead until a new outer ring road for Dublin is completed.

"No major city except Dublin has a tolled motorway without an alternative for local traffic," he said. He said the proposed upgrading of the M50 would bring even greater traffic volumes with no alternative provided.

"It was originally intended that the Outer Ring Road or Orbital Route would connect the Naas Road (N7), Lucan Road (N4), Navan Road (N3), Ashbourne Road (N2), and the M1. This would allow local traffic to by-pass the M50 completely.

"This orbital route, or M50 alternative, was never completed. As a result, 20 per cent of the current traffic using the M50 is local and should not have to go on to the motorway. Commuters who simply want to go from Blanchardstown to Palmerstown or the Naas Road are being forced onto the M50 and to pay a toll."

Mr Morrissey said the National Roads Authority, along with Fingal, South County Dublin, Meath and Kildare county councils needed to sit down together and agree on a new orbital route that would give commuters an alternative.

mike65

Can anyone tell me when the West Link is suposed to be handed over to the state which is I belive the arrangement.

Mike.

Genghis

AFAIK Mike, that is something like 20 years away. The original contract would have expired sooner, but NTR got an extension for building the second bridge.

Andrew Duffy

No major city except Dublin has a tolled motorway without an alternative for local traffic

Em... London? The tolls on the Blackwall Tunnel and bridge (can't remember the name) are supposed to expire when the bridge is paid for, but not many people believe it.

Victor

I think it's the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. (Edit: Cross Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Tunnel)

LFCFan

why don't they implement a toll system like they have in Canada where your licence plate details are taken as you drive through and you are billed at the end of the month? It would get rid of the booths and speed up traffic while still getting their blood money

Crossley

AFAIK, NTR got an extension on their existing toll contract in return for building the second WestLink bridge. The irony of course is that the second bridge wouldn't be necessary if there wasn't an artificial obstacle (the toll plaza) at one end of the existing bridge ! NTR are now seeking a further extension in return for their involvement with a PPP scheme to increase capacity on the M50.

Thing is regardless of whether NTR are involved or not there are always going to be tolls on the M50 as it is Government and NRA policy. The NRA are now seeking to put another toll plaza at the southern end.

Andrew Duffy

The original plan for the M50 was to toll each entrance in order to cut down local traffic. This was watered down by political pressure to the rubbish we have now. The site for the toll plaza then had to be moved to the North end of the bridge due to the EU structural development fund not allowing a private toll booth on land that it had part paid for. Finally, the interchanges were downgraded to the current rubbish due to budget pressures.

Andrew Duffy

Interesting:

http://tinyurl.com/3ym7k

... I assume that Mr. Flynn is Beverly's father, Pearse?

Victor

Originally posted by Andrew Duffy
Interesting: http://tinyurl.com/3ym7k ... I assume that Mr. Flynn is Beverly's father, Pearse?

No, Padraic Flynn, but yes he was the minister.