M6 - Athlone to Ballinasloe

KevR

Anyone have any updates for this scheme? Does anyone know how the steel barrier installation is coming along?

kaizersoze

KevR wrote: »

Anyone have any updates for this scheme? Does anyone know how the steel barrier installation is coming along?

The steel barrier is installed almost as far as the Tonvey overbridge where you did the video of the surfacing work recently. Seems a bit slow to me tbh. They had the first 3km done in a few days. That bridge is at the 6km mark and they're only getting there now.

KevR

Thanks. Might stop in there on the way home for a quick look but I don't have my camera with me today I'm afraid.

I wonder how far they have gone towards Athlone with the final layer of asphalt; could it be the asphalt that's holding up the barrier?

kaizersoze

I'm not sure how far the surfacing has gone but they're well gone from that area so it's not the ashphalt that's holding them up.

I updated the gallery with pics taken the day I drove it, 10/05/09.







More here:
http://gallery.m6.kaizersoze.net/index.php?album=athlone-to-ballinasloe

NGinEarLas

kaizersoze wrote: »

The steel barrier is installed almost as far as the Tonvey overbridge where you did the video of the surfacing work recently. Seems a bit slow to me tbh. They had the first 3km done in a few days. That bridge is at the 6km mark and they're only getting there now.

Tonvey is around the 15km mark,

there is roughly 9km of the wearing course laid,

all but 1.5km of the road has the binder course laid,

the section at elan looks pretty good, last piece of major work that needs to be done, but theres pavers on site at that section, think the base course is being laid at the moment.

KevR

Thanks for the update NGinEarLas

NGinEarLas wrote: »

Tonvey is around the 15km mark,

I presume you mean the 15km mark from Athlone?

I think Kaizersoze meant the 6km mark from Ballinasloe.

GerardKeating

KevR wrote: »

Anyone have any updates for this scheme? Does anyone know how the steel barrier installation is coming along?

also for the railway bridges, have they left space to double the track at sometime in the future?

Carawaystick

GerardKeating wrote: »

also for the railway bridges, have they left space to double the track at sometime in the future?

looks like it from the pic KaiserSoze posted

kaizersoze

NGinEarLas wrote: »

Tonvey is around the 15km mark,

It's ~13.8 according to the maps (from Athlone), leaving ~5.6km to the end of the scheme. The original scheme length was shortened from 20.1 to 19.4km.

KevR wrote:

I think Kaizersoze meant the 6km mark from Ballinasloe.

Correct.:)

GerardKeating wrote:

also for the railway bridges, have they left space to double the track at sometime in the future?

Plenty of room at the one in the pic (Drum). Not too sure about the one at the Athlone end. Nerer got a close look at it but I presume it's the same.

Sponge Bob

Just so ye know, the N6 STARTS at Ballinasloe and ENDS at Athlone . Therefore all distance measures are done from the junction east of the Suck .

You got that piebald broken in for your epic trek yet KS ???

kaizersoze

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Just so ye know, the N6 STARTS at Ballinasloe and ENDS at Athlone . Therefore all distance measures are done from the junction east of the Suck .

Tother way round Spongey. All the measurements and maps start at the Athlone end. Galway to Ballinasloe is the other way around. Starts in Galway and ends in Ballinasloe and all measurements from Galway.

Sponge Bob wrote: »

You got that piebald broken in for your epic trek yet KS ???

That trek is isn't so easy anymore. Took a drive last Sunday. Aughrim to Cappataggle, and probably further, is crawling with private security at evenings and weekends. Don't know what has changed. Must have been some pilfering or joyriding going on.

GerardKeating

kaizersoze wrote: »

That trek is isn't so easy anymore. Took a drive last Sunday. Aughrim to Cappataggle, and probably further, is crawling with private security at evenings and weekends. Don't know what has changed. Must have been some pilfering or joyriding going on.

Or they read boards.ie and knew you planned something...

Here's the latest view of progress at the Tuam Rd junction, the roundabout here is about half done as well.

I still think getting all this completed before the end of July is optimistic.

kaizersoze

Jeez, they're fairly moving there db.


Meanwhile at the other end....


...line painting has begun.:)

KevR

Thanks for the pictures Dolanbaker & Kaizersoze! They seem to be making good progress at the Athlone end and it's nice to see line painting has started at the Ballinasloe end.

I stopped at the Tonvey bridge on the way home to get a few snaps of the barrier progress:

Looking West:


Looking East:


I stopped here on Wednesday also (but had no camera) and when I stopped again (yesterday, Friday) they had made a reasonable amount of progress.

Installation of this steel barrier isn't happening at as quick a rate as concrete barriers on other schemes but the final layer of asphalt has been laid before the barrier installation; with concrete you'd still have to lay the final layer after the barrier has been put in.

kaizersoze

KevR wrote: »

Thanks for the pictures Dolanbaker & Kaizersoze! They seem to be making good progress at the Athlone end and it's nice to see line painting has started at the Ballinasloe end.

I stopped at the Tonvey bridge on the way home to get a few snaps of the barrier progress:

Looking West:


Looking East:


I stopped here on Wednesday also (but had no camera) and when I stopped again (yesterday, Friday) they had made a reasonable amount of progress.

Installation of this steel barrier isn't happening at as quick a rate as concrete barriers on other schemes but the final layer of asphalt has been laid before the barrier installation; with concrete you'd still have to lay the final layer after the barrier has been put in.

:eek:

I was out there last Tuesday and they hadn't reached the bridge at that stage and nothing to the East at all. They must have gotten the finger out.

kaizersoze

Btw, does anyone know what the pond is for at the left of this pic?
It was constructed by the contractor and alot of work went into it.
It also has an access road to it from the local Tonvey road.

KevR

Was wondering about that pond too. When I saw them constructing it I presumed it must be something to do with drainage but the finished thing doesn't look like it's anything to do with drainage.

Looking at those other pictures, maybe opening late July is possible!!!!

edit: the only part of the project that's still at the "earthworks" stage is the eastbound LILO & roundabout by Élan, but there is rapid progress here as well.

flazio

Looking at the line painting pics, it sure looks like it's going to be quite a narrow Hard Shoulder. Wouldn't want to break down along there and have to try to get out on the drivers side.

murphaph

Those ponds are called "balancing ponds" and are used to channel runoff water into. They prevent a load of water rushing off the road and flooding nearby watercourses.

kaizersoze

murphaph wrote: »

Those ponds are called "balancing ponds" and are used to channel runoff water into. They prevent a load of water rushing off the road and flooding nearby watercourses.

Good man. 'Tis a bad day when you don't learn something.:)

KevR

flazio wrote: »

Looking at the line painting pics, it sure looks like it's going to be quite a narrow Hard Shoulder. Wouldn't want to break down along there and have to try to get out on the drivers side.

Is that because that picture is of a stretch at a junction? If I'm not mistaken, the hard shoulder usually drops off (with only a narrow strip remaining) just before the entry/exit lanes merge/diverge from the main carriageway. I don't think and certainly hope it won't be that narrow further away from junctions.

serfboard

murphaph wrote: »

Those ponds are called "balancing ponds" and are used to channel runoff water into. They prevent a load of water rushing off the road and flooding nearby watercourses.

There are a load of these off the Ennis bypass as well. I wondered for they were for. Thanks for the info.

NGinEarLas

Sorry kaizersoze for picking one of your posts up wrong about the chainage of Tonvey, I was thinking of the other direction, starting in Athlone .

The Job is called 'M6 Ballinasloe to Athlone', but the distances along the route are marked from Athlone to Ballinasloe, i.e, chainage 0 is at the Athlone By-pass tie-in.

I don't think that they will be to far behind the July deadline that has been mentioned. The last major work that has to be done is at elan and even at that all the earthworks are finished, the base course is laid and the final section of the binder course has started to be laid along the main line, after that its back to the wearing course and if there's no bad weather then they will fly down the road in about 3 weeks because its such a thin layer in comparison to every other layer.

As for the Ballinasloe end all that needs to be done is the line marking (which as has been pointed out is well on its way), and the completion of the crash barrier down the center line. As far as i know all the crash barriers along the edges and side roads have been pretty much finished. They were done during the period where there seemed to be very little work done with the centerline barrier.

Carawaystick

murphaph wrote: »

Those ponds are called "balancing ponds" and are used to channel runoff water into. They prevent a load of water rushing off the road and flooding nearby watercourses.

Don't they have a filter to trap any oil washed off the road too? I remember the M4 newsletter saying this was why the drainage was taking so long.

anyway the latest M6 (Galway to Balinasloe) newsletter has a good explaination of the road layers.
http://www.nra.ie/PublicPrivatePartnership/ContractorsNewsletters/file,16124,en.pdf

NGinEarLas

Hey!
For anyone that may be interested, the wearing course has been started on the Athlone side of the job and by the looks of things their moving very fast!!! :eek:

kaizersoze

NGinEarLas wrote: »

Hey!
For anyone that may be interested, the wearing course has been started on the Athlone side of the job and by the looks of things their moving very fast!!! :eek:

Yeah they're fairly flying it alright. Passed that way on Friday morning and had a look.

kaizersoze

Armco installers are now as far as the Shannonbridge road overbridge, close to the N6 crossover. Line painting as far as Tonvey. Pavers about 2 kms past N6 crossover.

KevR

I wonder will they get it done in 5 weeks (before the 24th of July)? Would be good if they got it done before the builders' holidays..

kaizersoze

KevR wrote: »

I wonder will they get it done in 5 weeks (before the 24th of July)? Would be good if they got it done before the builders' holidays..

It would be a big ask I'd say. Should have added, it's only white broken lines that is done so far.

NGinEarLas

Yup, Word is that they will have it open the week before that.

I think that they will as well, they have a lot of work to do, but there seriously flying with the wearing course on the athlone side. had a look this evening and its down near the last overbridge on the athlone side (I think its the last overbridge anyways), they only started the wearing course on that side one day last week :eek:!!!!!

KevR

Stopped at Tonvey for a quick look on the way home and they have gone up around the next bend (Eastwards) with the broken white line painting from that bridge.

Sponge Bob

I was the first to predict 'by' the 24th of July

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=59730544&postcount=191

I stand by my prediction :cool:

witnessmenow

I've just seen this quote in the westmeath forum, I have no idea of how true it is but here's hoping.

witnessmenow wrote: »

According to my girlfriend, who is working for Siac Wills, the balinasloe to Athlone bypass is due open on the 17th of july (maybe it was 19th, in and around that!)

ihatewallies

Sponge Bob wrote: »

I was the first to predict 'by' the 24th of July

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=59730544&postcount=191

I stand by my prediction :cool:

yeah you're really something.

Sponge Bob

ihatewallies wrote: »

yeah you're really something.

Its simple really , I find learning to count is a great help and commend the skill to your good self .

Amtmann

kaizersoze wrote: »

It would be a big ask I'd say. Should have added, it's only white broken lines that is done so far.

Lining and studding is a rapid process, so don't worry. A fierce amount can be lined/studded in one day.

KevR

Stopped at the Loughlackagh overbridge today for a quick look. They are gone well past that bridge with the broken white lines. I would imagine that they will keep going until they catch up (should be soon) with the barrier installation/laying of the final layer of asphalt and then they'll turn back and start doing the solid white median line towards Ballinasloe.

I wonder if they have corrected that dodgy signage that someone posted a picture of on here??

Would be awesome if it's open by the 17th of July. I will be disgusted if it opens under a 100kmh speed limit though - hurry up with the redesignations Mr Dempsey!!

BluntGuy

KevR wrote: »

Would be awesome if it's open by the 17th of July. I will be disgusted if it opens under a 100kmh speed limit though - hurry up with the redesignations Mr Dempsey!!

It's too late I'm afraid. Phase 1 of the redesignations (ironically enough) was signed on the 17th of July last year and they came into effect on the 24th September. Between those dates, "motorway ahead", "end of motorway" etc. signs were covered up on the M6 Kilbeggan scheme and M9 Carlow Bypass (and in the case of Cashel-Mitchelstown removed entirely) and the 100 km/h limit was in operation.

It's looking very likely the same thing is going to happen again.

flazio

Yeah but for a good year or longer the Kinnegad to Kilbeggan stretch was designated N6 100km/h, but hardly anyone took heed. Don't see why this won't be the case now.

KevR

flazio wrote: »

Yeah but for a good year or longer the Kinnegad to Kilbeggan stretch was designated N6 100km/h, but hardly anyone took heed. Don't see why this won't be the case now.

Many people will disregard the 100kmh speed limit but I for one will be paranoid that the Gardai will be out pulling people (for anything in between 101kmh and 120kmh, anything over that and you have no excuse) on the the odd occasion so I'll stick to the limit.

KevR

KevR wrote: »

Many people will disregard the 100kmh speed limit but I for one will be paranoid that the Gardai will be out pulling people (for anything in between 101kmh and 120kmh, anything over that and you have no excuse) on the the odd occasion so I'll stick to the limit.

I hated that section while it was 100kmh as I was very wary of speed traps, for political rather than safety reasons! It just didn't feel right going that slow!

KevR

Deleted User wrote: »

I hated that section while it was 100kmh as I was very wary of speed traps, for political rather than safety reasons! It just didn't feel right going that slow!

The N18 HQDC between Crusheen and Shannon is really spoiled by the 100kmh limit. Great road and great scenery but having to constantly watch the speedometer and try to keep your speed down at a speed which feels too low ruins it.

Zube

Deleted User wrote: »

I hated that section while it was 100kmh as I was very wary of speed traps, for political rather than safety reasons! It just didn't feel right going that slow!

I actually think traffic went faster on that stretch when the limit was 100 km/hr. People just said "Sod it, I'm breaking the limit anyway, why not 150?"

KevR

Zube wrote: »

I actually think traffic went faster on that stretch when the limit was 100 km/hr. People just said "Sod it, I'm breaking the limit anyway, why not 150?"

Spot on.

Carawaystick

17th July is a Friday, whereas the 19th is a Sunday. Only a bit of the M1 pened on a Sunday to let Tyrone and Armagh traffic by Dundalk so I'd say the Friday is the day.... great stuff.

veryangryman

KevR wrote: »

The N18 HQDC between Crusheen and Shannon is really spoiled by the 100kmh limit. Great road and great scenery but having to constantly watch the speedometer and try to keep your speed down at a speed which feels too low ruins it.

God bless cruise control

Tech3

KevR wrote: »

The N18 HQDC between Crusheen and Shannon is really spoiled by the 100kmh limit. Great road and great scenery but having to constantly watch the speedometer and try to keep your speed down at a speed which feels too low ruins it.

The road is well capable of 120km/hr alright lets just hope Dempsey sees the same.

The Ennis Bypass was constructed standard dual carriageway though but still has the cabability of doing that speed.

I wonder would the NRA ever consider increasing the speed limits on motorways most of the HQDC's are well capable of doing significantly more than 120km/hr?

NGinEarLas

The road will open at 120km/hr. The reason why the Kinnegead/Killbeggan/Moate sections of the road opened at 100km was because the re-designation of the road was not signed until July of last year. The Killbeggan to Moate section opened in June.

The signs around Athlone for the by-pass (Motorway) are in blue, not just indicating the motorway east bound, but also for heading west bound. When the Moate to Kilbeggan section of the road opened it opened with normal green signs and were changed then when the road changed to motorway. The Athlone by-pass will remain a 100km national road.

Dont worry, the new road will and will be opened as a 120km motorway!:D:D:D:D