N6 - Athlone Bypass Upgrade works

KevR

whyulittle wrote: »

I was walking out of Applegreen there this evening, and you could see the traffic backing up onto the overpass.

It was really bad on Monday evening - queue stretched from J12 almost back to J10.

I moved to Athlone on Monday (I'm now walking distance from work) so Monday was the first and last time that I got stuck in that traffic.

I bet the worst of the delay is caused by bad merging, as in "I've been waiting longer and you're not getting in front of me type road rage!
Use both lanes and "zip merge" at the works, it'll be quicker.

billbond4

Seen the safety speed camera van knocking around near AIT yesterday, they must have been on their way to McDonalds to stock up on burgers and fries :-)

KevR

It looks like they have really got stuck in in their first week of work. A good stretch of the median cleared Westbound (after the Shannon Bridge). Lots of work going on at J12 Eastbound also, looks as though they are gearing up for the 3 week closure (which begins sometime next week).

antoobrien

One thing I don't understand about the speed restrictions - theres no (or at least very little) work on the eastbound section that I could see passing last night. It makes no sense to enforce a reduced limit on this section until the junction closures & contraflows start.

antoobrien

antoobrien wrote: »

One thing I don't understand about the speed restrictions - theres no (or at least very little) work on the eastbound section that I could see passing last night. It makes no sense to enforce a reduced limit on this section until the junction closures & contraflows start.

True! The council & contractors are just lazy, rather than dynamically manage the limits so they only cover the works, they have decided to limit the entire section in one go!

billbond4

And possibly to cover their asses, as there is slow moving construction vehicles on both carriageways from time to time.
Also they removed the "End" signs from the Roadworks signs just after you cross the Shannon going Eastbound.

whyulittle

Westmeath Co. Co. wrote:

N6 Athlone Relief Road Update 7th Feb 4.00pm

Due to ongoing road maintenance on the N6 Athlone Relief Road the following traffic restrictions will be in place from 10th to 22nd of February 2011.

A road closure will be in place on the N6 Athlone Relief Road eastbound carriageway from Junctions 12, Tuam Road Interchange to Junction 13, Roscommon Road with a contra flow system on the Westbound carriageway adjacent to the works.

The eastbound on-ramp at Junction 13 will be closed during this time with a diversion along the old Galway Road.

The eastbound off-Ramp at Junction 12 will be closed during this period with a diversion via Coosan Interchange.

Regular updates will be posted on this website www.westmeathcoco.ie and on local radio.

Westmeath County Council wishes to thank you for your co-operation and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/news/name,8739,en.html

veryangryman

whyulittle wrote: »

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/news/name,8739,en.html

Bit stupid to divert J12 eastbound travellers through town. Not that i mind. J13 is my nest and it will be packed enough without the westerners going through Old Galway Road as it is

billbond4

yeah i would say that is their reasoning behind not having the two diversions on the one road.
At least they are on time! Hope the rest of the road closures occur on time

billbond4

billbond4 wrote: »

yeah i would say that is their reasoning behind not having the two diversions on the one road.
At least they are on time! Hope the rest of the road closures occur on time

If they missed the first milestone, then we're in big trouble.

veryangryman

Those lazy workers doing up the new roundabout on Tuam road near Super Valu - thats bad enough right now without all the extra traffic

Finishing last October my backside.

Any chance of a third lane wetbound J12-J13. All that digging looks to have unearthed one? Maybe this isnt such a waste of time after all...

KevR

veryangryman wrote: »

Any chance of a third lane wetbound J12-J13. All that digging looks to have unearthed one? Maybe this isnt such a waste of time after all...

Think they are replacing the soft median with a hard one. Some/all of the hard shoulder would probably have to be sacrificed for a third lane (like the auxilary lane J10-11). It could be done but it's probably best to leave the hard shoulder or else pedestrians* and cyclists* will be mingling with 100+kmh traffic which would be a recipe for disaster.


* :rolleyes:

billbond4

Id say they might be changing the Roscommon slip road, but it could just be for laying of the utilities pipes.
BTW Workworks at Supervalue are planned to be finished Mid March.

antoobrien

KevR wrote: »

Think they are replacing the soft median with a hard one. Some/all of the hard shoulder would probably have to be sacrificed for a third lane (like the auxilary lane J10-11). It could be done but it's probably best to leave the hard shoulder or else pedestrians* and cyclists* will be mingling with 100+kmh traffic which would be a recipe for disaster.


* :rolleyes:

Or we could do something that makes sense and ban pedestrian traffic from the road - minimal hard should is grand for cyclists (motorists don't consider it part of the road so generally don't stray into it). Combined with the lane width in use for M50 I think we could get 3 lanes - anyone want to work out if this is possible?

billbond4

Dont really see the advantage in making the road three lane as the bridge is only two lane.

Zubeneschamali

billbond4 wrote: »

Dont really see the advantage in making the road three lane as the bridge is only two lane.

I suppose the idea is to allow local traffic to scoot West from J12 to J13 without leaving a LILO lane. Bad idea.

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I suppose the idea is to allow local traffic to scoot West from J12 to J13 without leaving a LILO lane. Bad idea.

If that's the plan, then it's a very good idea, traffic joining then leaving the main driving lanes there often causes bunching.

veryangryman

Deleted User wrote: »

If that's the plan, then it's a very good idea, traffic joining then leaving the main driving lanes there often causes bunching.

Not many that use it...Monksland people going northwest (myself from time to time but still...)

Doubt theyd make the investment in doing it just for the likes of myself. If they are, score!

KevR

billbond4 wrote: »

Dont really see the advantage in making the road three lane as the bridge is only two lane.

In theory, they could put an aux lane in between all junctions except J11-12. I actually reckon it would be possible to put a third lane over the bridge, not easy or cheap...just possible. Can't see it being done though unless traffic is unbearable on the bypass in a couple of decades.

whyulittle

New (small) speed camera sign westbound before the railway bridge at Garrycastle.

veryangryman

whyulittle wrote: »

New (small) speed camera sign westbound before the railway bridge at Garrycastle.

Cant wait to stick the boot down there this evening!

Seriously though, good spot for one - quite an unforgiving turn made worse by the junction which can be lethal if backed up.

whyulittle

Diversion maps online.

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/Diversion%20Map%201.pdf

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/Diversion%20Map%202.pdf

The diversion via Coosan is back on the westbound carriageway, not through town.....aaaaaaaahh!

That does make more sense alright!

L1011

veryangryman wrote: »

Your not getting me. The junction was built so that Motorists can get onto the Shannonbridge (R348 i think) and Ballinasloe(R446) roadS. If there was no R road within shouting distance, id take your point, but in this case also no

YES you can have an L road at the junction. But if it doesnt have an R road nearby, then it shouldnt be on a Motoway (is my understanding of the rule)

Something reminded me of this today... The M1 "Drogheda South" junction is solely with an L road (which is a DC at that point...) and hasn't got an R road anywhere nearby.

The Enniskerry junction on the M11 is signed as an L road also, but google suggests it does have an R the other side.

whyulittle

There is a bit in the Westmeath today about the contradicting speed limit signs.

Unfortunately, it doesn't get any confirmation from Go Safe which limit they are working off.

You'd think they'd be more than happy to be open about it in terms of driver's safety and all.

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/02/09/4003064-criticism-voiced-over-50kph-bypass-limit-during-upgrade-works/

Zubeneschamali

The single lane stretch from J12 to J13 Westbound was closed completely today due to an accident.

Fog and poor traffic management in equal parts, I'd say. Hope no-one was injured.

billbond4

Dont think traffic management had anything to do with it.
They did a very good job of traffic joining at Roscommon, as your already funnelled into the "slow" lane and the rejoining eastbound traffic is funnelled into the "fast" lane.

From what I could see there was a truck involved and a car(that looked like it was going the wrong way on the eastbound road)
im not 100% sure if thats happened, but thats what it looks like, the recovery vans have been there for over 2 hours and its still not shifted.
But at least I didnt see any Ambulances,so dont think anyone was hurt.

veryangryman

This morning was epic.

Think of Moate, Ballinasloe and Athlone pre-bypass put together and your still not close.

Dear Junction 13: Please come back - all is forgiven

billbond4

Ah good times alright this morning, eastbound road like a ghostown and westbound like the M50.

veryangryman

billbond4 wrote: »

Ah good times alright this morning, eastbound road like a ghostown and westbound like the M50.

Hmm just decided that i may park the car at Ganleys this evening and cycle to it from Monksland. Otherwise will have to wake up an hour earlier for the next 3 wks

Zubeneschamali

veryangryman wrote: »

Hmm just decided that i may park the car at Ganleys this evening and cycle to it from Monksland. Otherwise will have to wake up an hour earlier for the next 3 wks

Today was bad because there was an accident! It won't be like that every day.

KevR

Off-peak and it's still bad apparently:

AA Roadwatch wrote:

*WESTMEATH* There are over 1hour delays on the M6 Galway/Dublin Rd and Athlone town with major diversions in place. The only access onto the N6/Athlone Bypass is traffic coming from Ballinsaloe going to Dublin. All other traffic is diverted with serious delays through Monksland, Athlone town and on both the Dublin and Roscommon roads. There is also bad fog and reduced visibility, so slow right down and proceed with extreme care. * Westbound lanes are closed from J12 Roscommon where a truck went off the road early this morning. * Major works in place in Eastbound lanes with traffic diverting onto westbound lanes in a contra flow.

Sounds absolutely crazy! So glad I'm not commuting to work from Galway anymore..

veryangryman

KevR wrote: »

Off-peak and it's still bad apparently:


Sounds absolutely crazy! So glad I'm not commuting to work from Galway anymore..

Had to be seen to be believed.

Accident and fog aside, i have to say that they should never have been allowed to take traffic off the bypass. What the frig happened to the contra flow promised - Very dissapointed with the works sofar - i could suggest at least 3 easier ways of sortign the traffic. Really bad practice to close such a busy section of road

KevR

Like yourself, I was under the impression that the bypass would remain open during the works albeit with lane closures and contra flows. I didn't think they would be diverting traffic off the bypass.

I hope, at the very least, that by taking traffic off the bypass it will speed up the works. If it doesn't speed up the work then it's really annoying that they have changed the traffic management in this way.

veryangryman

KevR wrote: »

Like yourself, I was under the impression that the bypass would remain open during the works albeit with lane closures and contra flows. I didn't think they would be diverting traffic off the bypass.

I hope, at the very least, that by taking traffic off the bypass it will speed up the works. If it doesn't speed up the work then it's really annoying that they have changed the traffic management in this way.

Strictly speaking it IS still open if coming from Ballinasloe. Not much use to the locals who emigrated westside many moons ago though

Might be gods way of telling me that i need to get the bike out... :pac:

KevR

City Link's facebook page advising passengers to expect delays because of roadworks/diversions and an earlier accident at Athlone.

Zubeneschamali

veryangryman wrote: »

What the frig happened to the contra flow promised

The accident happened! A truck crashed, and they had to close the road, that's all.

The works to allow them to open the contraflow aren't finished yet, but they were only planned to be finished on the 9th, yesterday.

Zubeneschamali

Report in the Westmeath

Absolute disaster of site now.

Would be faster on foot!

Zubeneschamali

Also, I wonder who this is ?

one Athlone resident who contacted the Westmeath Independent said he was concerned that he and others would be penalised for not obeying the new limit.

“The works are starting at Monksland, so there is no reason to have it restricted to 50 km/h at Garrycastle,” said the motorist. He felt it would be “very sneaky” if road users were penalised for not slowing down to 50km/h when they are not near roadworks, adding: “I’ve since been avoiding the bypass - I don’t want to rack up 10 points in a week!”

veryangryman

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Also, I wonder who this is ?


“The works are starting at Monksland, so there is no reason to have it restricted to 50 km/h at Garrycastle,” said the motorist. He felt it would be “very sneaky” if road users were penalised for not slowing down to 50km/h when they are not near roadworks, adding: “I’ve since been avoiding the bypass - I don’t want to rack up 10 points in a week!”

:rolleyes:

Is this guy even from Athlone? Ive never never never picked up a speeding ticket when the bypass went to 50KPH and ive done more than twice that regularly.

I love the way he thinks hed get to garycastle quicker* going by the college as opposed to just going the speed limit

*Maybe at night when no traffic

It's that mobile scamera that's the real problem! which corner will it be placed around next! Drivers spotting it and dropping down to 50kmh are at risk of causing a pile up. :mad:

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Also, I wonder who this is ?

one Athlone resident who contacted the Westmeath Independent said he was concerned that he and others would be penalised for not obeying the new limit.

“The works are starting at Monksland, so there is no reason to have it restricted to 50 km/h at Garrycastle,” said the motorist. He felt it would be “very sneaky” if road users were penalised for not slowing down to 50km/h when they are not near roadworks, adding: “I’ve since been avoiding the bypass - I don’t want to rack up 10 points in a week!”

Not me, as it is the council never bothered to respond to my email about the speed limit!

Zubeneschamali

Deleted User wrote: »

Not me, as it is the council never bothered to respond to my email about the speed limit!

Returned to Athlone at 19:00, contraflow is open and working fine, no hold-ups.

Let's see how it stands up to rush hour...

Westbound will be no different as it was switched to single lane working last week, now it'll be the eastbound traffic that will be affected the most.

veryangryman

Not as bad as yesterday but still pretty cat this morning

veryangryman

veryangryman wrote: »

Not as bad as yesterday but still pretty cat this morning

As pritty as this one!



How it should be done!

Zip merging 'clears traffic jams'
Back

The art of 'zip merging' - using the outside lane when others are stationary in traffic - is the best way to clear motorway jams, a motoring expert has said.

Despite being a source of frustration for many drivers that find themselves undertaken by cars while stuck in traffic, it could prevent tailbacks from growing longer and blocking off more junctions, according to Peter Rodger, chief examiner at the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Zip merging is most commonly used on dual carriageways that merge to a single lane of traffic, generally before a roundabout. Although many motorists frown upon drivers that drive ahead as far as possible in the overtaking lane, Mr Rodgers claims that doing so means the tailback is kept to a minimum.

"Driver etiquette means that 'zip merging' can be frowned upon by drivers in long queues of traffic, but if all available lanes are used, right up to the bottleneck, it is perfectly acceptable for vehicles from each lane to take it in turns to merge into the single lane," he said.

"This reduces the length of road the queue stretches along and prevents blocked junctions. If you are approaching a long queue of traffic in only one lane, you should stay in the lane you're in, even if it's empty, as long as you reduce your speed. Even if you have to merge further down, it is worth using all the space available to avoid unnecessarily long tailbacks."

veryangryman

If only there was another exit on the M6 between Athlone and Ballinasloe (maybe Drum or somewhere)

Could just dart down westbound, double up and do such a zip merge.

Unfortunately the Old Galway Rd is single carriageway so your notion (while good) is of no use to poor me

Altogether now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVa39wr83DY

How it should be done

I got a response from the council, RE zip merging.

I will raise the issue of zip merging at the next traffic management meeting next week.

Regards

Traffic Engineer.

Lets see what happens.