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

tastyt

When is it due to finish? You guys reckon its on target??

marno21

CeilingFly wrote: »

There are approximately 30,000 "movements" a day on that section.

The works started 200 days ago.

That's circa 6 MILLION movements

230ish out of 6 Million



Put it another way, how many people do you know that got 5 numbers in the lottery in the last 2 months - same odds.

Keep reasonable speed for the conditions pertaining at the time you are driving and you'll be fine.

Have you got the 1995 traffic figures?

The average volume through that section was 70,000 per day in 2017, no data for 2018 because the counters have been removed as part of the works

The works as you say have been ongoing for 200 days so there has been 14 million movements through the area since work began.

With this in mind, there has been 237 caught out of approx 14 million journeys, probability of getting caught is 0.0000169, or 1 in every 59,071 vehicles is caught

If every person in Naas drove the length of the scheme and back again there is still a chance that no one would get caught, such are the low odds.

CeilingFly

marno21 wrote: »

Have you got the 1995 traffic figures?



With this in mind, there has been 237 caught out of approx 14 million journeys, probability of getting caught is 0.0000169, or 1 in every 59,071 vehicles is caught

Whoops - was thinking one way.

So basically you have a better chance of getting 5 numbers in the lottery than getting a speeding ticket.

But in saying that, every mention of a driver being stopped is because they were doing over 120kmh

So a reasonable and safe speed pertaining to the conditions at the time you are driving will not see a ticket

pad199207

Curious to know will Junction 9 be changed in any way? The lane drop gain feature will obviously be omitted.
What will the lane layouts be like on the slip roads? How many lanes etc?

_Kaiser_

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Because it's better to use some common sense and drive appropriate to the conditions (traffic, surface, weather, time of day) than blindly going by whatever the limit is (whether it be 60 km/h, or 80 km/h on some back road with grass in the middle).

I accept that there's idiots doing dangerous and ridiculous speeds on this stretch and they should be caught and prosecuted for sure.. but this holier-than-thou blinkered "but..but.. they are over the limit... speed kills" attitude ignores the reality and is far more dangerous on the roads IMO.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

sea12

CeilingFly wrote: »

And your experience of drainage systems and road engineering is????????

I just cannot understand the whining posts of some people - maybe ask for information of the drainage rather that do a whining post especially when you have zero experience in the field. There are plenty of experienced people on these threads, but they tend to respond to reasonable queries than a whine

And you think that they can widen the road and then simply bolt on the two ne junctions later? Seriously?

Ceeling fly I don't know if you work directly for the company building the project or are part of the design team. You seem to take any criticism of the project very personal. Beny79 is just putting across the views of 100's is us commuters who are frustrated st the slow build of a fairly straight forward project. It is extremely frustrating to see finishing up at 5 pm when they could have two shifts on now during summer to quicken the pace. That road is pure carnage outside of summer months and anything to help reduce that should have been done

markpb

sea12 wrote: »

Ceeling fly I don't know if you work directly for the company building the project or are part of the design team. You seem to take any criticism of the project very personal

They don't have to be involved in the project to be annoyed at the barstool experts that populate boards. The chances are the none of the people complaining here know anthing about civil engineers. They have no idea if the construction is going according to schedule or not. They have no valid comparison.

Of course it could be possible to build the project in half the time but at a multiple of the cost. There's a balance between the two that the state has to achieve. What other projects should be cancelled or delayed to make this one faster?

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

Ceeling fly I don't know if you work directly for the company building the project or are part of the design team. You seem to take any criticism of the project very personal. Beny79 is just putting across the views of 100's is us commuters who are frustrated st the slow build of a fairly straight forward project. It is extremely frustrating to see finishing up at 5 pm when they could have two shifts on now during summer to quicken the pace. That road is pure carnage outside of summer months and anything to help reduce that should have been done

Absolutely no connection whatsoever. I've no formal training in engineering either and zero experience of driving machinery.

But I don't pretend to and I don't make unsubstantiated comments about the works or whine about something I haven't a clue about

You say its frustrating seeing them finish at 5pm - but are you driving by at 6am watching them start work? I guess not.

A two shift system sounds idyllic, but you need two full teams and then hope both teams are on the same page (same with any project - not just roads)

And they do work nights when the job requires additional lane closures so that there are two lanes open from 6am to 10pm each day which minimises obstruction to motorists.

But those making sweeping whines without any knowledge whatsoever deserve to be called out. Whereas those asking questions without making assumptions seem to get their questions answered

As for being on time, they are ahead of schedule if a person in Kerry group is to be believed.

sea12

You say its frustrating seeing them finish at 5pm - but are you driving by at 6am watching them start work? I guess not.

well I pass by there at 6.30 three mornings s week and at 8am 2 mornings a week and no they don't be starting working at 6. Eight o clock is the starting time for the main workforce including digger drivers etc

The point I am making is that they should be utilising all day light hours during summer even if it does cost more. It is one of the busiest and most important roads in the country. And there will be huge tail backs on this road again in September for another year. This time could be reduced

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

You say its frustrating seeing them finish at 5pm - but are you driving by at 6am watching them start work? I guess not.

well I pass by there at 6.30 three mornings s week and at 8am 2 mornings a week and no they don't be starting working at 6. Eight o clock is the starting time for the main workforce including digger drivers etc

The point I am making is that they should be utilising all day light hours during summer even if it does cost more. It is one of the busiest and most important roads in the country. And there will be huge tail backs on this road again in September for another year. This time could be reduced

So in winter they should only work 9am to 4pm?

I'm working a stone's throw from them - I'm in the office at 6.30 many mornings. They are working on the new ramps, the car park beside Merlin is fairly full too and many are probably in daily meetings.

Remember, no matter what the project, preparation is the key - even on a daily basis. Same in my business - a 15-20 daily meeting each day ensures a far more productive day than just going about the work.

On a large project, you need a full team working together - extend the hours and you need two full teams. Then you need both teams to be working on the same page. Sounds easy. Its not, and the benefits probably are not there.

Look at large private built projects. They also don't work two shifts and they want schemes finished as fast as possible. It simple does not make sense from either a management or logistical point of view.

Maybe someone with project management experience of a large infrastructural project is here and can give more info.

sea12

CeilingFly wrote: »

So in winter they should only work 9am to 4pm?

I'm working a stone's throw from them - I'm in the office at 6.30 many mornings. They are working on the new ramps, the car park beside Merlin is fairly full too and many are probably in daily meetings.

Remember, no matter what the project, preparation is the key - even on a daily basis. Same in my business - a 15-20 daily meeting each day ensures a far more productive day than just going about the work.

On a large project, you need a full team working together - extend the hours and you need two full teams. Then you need both teams to be working on the same page. Sounds easy. Its not, and the benefits probably are not there.

Look at large private built projects. They also don't work two shifts and they want schemes finished as fast as possible. It simple does not make sense from either a management or logistical point of view.

Maybe someone with project management experience of a large infrastructural project is here and can give more info.

Still disagree with you. It's very common in lots of projects and even manufacturing where you have shift workers sometimes 3 shifts. All it takes is planning.

i was in turkey recently where they are building the new airport in Istanbul. The level of activity, planning and progress they are making is incredible. And they don't won't 8-5.

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

Still disagree with you. It's very common in lots of projects and even manufacturing where you have shift workers sometimes 3 shifts. All it takes is planning.

i was in turkey recently where they are building the new airport in Istanbul. The level of activity, planning and progress they are making is incredible. And they don't won't 8-5.

Manufacturing - yes as its mostly automated and you can have 2 /3 long term teams following a very set procedure. Some manufacturing is so automated that you need just a handful of people to be there (the entire Heinz bean manufacturing plant that works on a 24/7 basis and produces the worldwide production has less than 200 employees and many of them are specialised computer technicians).

But large infrastructural projects it is far more difficult and quite rare. Very easy to find one project somewhere in the world, but just a quick look at an overall picture and you'll find it quite rare.

sea12

CeilingFly wrote: »

Manufacturing - yes as its mostly automated and you can have 2 /3 long term teams following a very set procedure. Some manufacturing is so automated that you need just a handful of people to be there (the entire Heinz bean manufacturing plant that works on a 24/7 basis and produces the worldwide production has less than 200 employees and many of them are specialised computer technicians).

But large infrastructural projects it is far more difficult and quite rare. Very easy to find one project somewhere in the world, but just a quick look at an overall picture and you'll find it quite rare.

You were implying it couldn't be done. I gave examples of how working ****s can be done. Istanbul airport is only one example. Plenty more available. Perhaps the traffic doesn't affect you but for those of us that it does it still remains very frustrating at the opportunity lost over the summer months. Anyway think we will have to agree to disagree

JohnC.

Istanbul airport probably isn't the best example, with probably dozens killed there. It's easy to power through stuff when you ignore little details like safety.

sea12

JohnC. wrote: »

Istanbul airport probably isn't the best example, with probably dozens killed there. It's easy to power through stuff when you ignore little details like safety.

"With probably dozens killed there"

Do you know that for a fact or just lazy assumptions. No reason you can't have two shifts working in Ireland and still keep all Health and safety regulations required.

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

"With probably dozens killed there"

Do you know that for a fact or just lazy assumptions. No reason you can't have two shifts working in Ireland and still keep all Health and safety regulations required.

Poster was incorrect.

The real figure is "hundreds" not just a few dozen.

In excess of 400 deaths on the construction of the airport.

sea12

CeilingFly wrote: »

Poster was incorrect.

The real figure is "hundreds" not just a few dozen.

In excess of 400 deaths on the construction of the airport.

I accept that but that is down to heath and safety standards not the ptincipal of working two shifts which is what I'm advocating should be done on the naas road

CeilingFly

sea12 wrote: »

I accept that but that is down to heath and safety standards not the ptincipal of working two shifts which is what I'm advocating should be done on the naas road

But that was the example you gave.

Very difficult to see examples elsewhere - not even the massive new London tube tunnel operated a two shift system nor the Big Dig in boston (which went on for 10 years)

Too many variables when you have two shifts on a very manual project like this and in any case two lanes are always kept open - only problem is when some eejit has the eye off the road and shunts another car and causes a tailback.

gilly0512

CeilingFly wrote: »

sea12 wrote: »

Ceeling fly I don't know if you work directly for the company building the project or are part of the design team. You seem to take any criticism of the project very personal. Beny79 is just putting across the views of 100's is us commuters who are frustrated st the slow build of a fairly straight forward project. It is extremely frustrating to see finishing up at 5 pm when they could have two shifts on now during summer to quicken the pace. That road is pure carnage outside of summer months and anything to help reduce that should have been done

Absolutely no connection whatsoever.  I've no formal training in engineering either and zero experience of driving machinery.

But I don't pretend to and I don't make unsubstantiated comments about the works or whine about something I haven't a clue about

You say its frustrating seeing them finish at 5pm - but are you driving by at 6am watching them start work? I guess not.

A two shift system sounds idyllic,  but you need two full teams and then hope both teams are on the same page (same with any project - not just roads)

And they do work nights when the job requires additional lane closures so that there are two lanes open from 6am to 10pm each day which minimises obstruction to motorists.

But those making sweeping whines without any knowledge whatsoever deserve to be called out. Whereas those asking questions without making assumptions seem to get their questions answered

As for being on time, they are ahead of schedule if a person in Kerry group is to be believed.

They are possibly ahead of schedule if you base it upon the fact that the delivery time for this project was far too big in the first place, so on that basis they must be flying. I am not a civil engineer either, but lets be honest this is not any major feat of engineering, it's adding an extra lane to an existing motorway, and should have been scheduled at 18 months tops.

WhatsGoingOn2

I heard from someone that works on the site that they are approx 10 weeks behind schedule

CeilingFly

WhatsGoingOn2 wrote: »

I heard from someone that works on the site that they are approx 10 weeks behind schedule

I never have and never will believe the "a worker on site" line in regard to anything.

That type of delay would be nigh on impossible considering that the snow only caused a few days disruption and the conditions have been near perfect since.

And large specialist construction firms do not get timeframes out by such level unless some major unforeseen issue arises and you can be sure such issue would be all over the local and national media.

So I call that BS from the "worker onsite"

NedNew2

Can we please stop with the aggressive condemnation of other members posts? This is a discussion forum where opinions are to be welcomed. This is not an online encyclopaedia.

It's getting very tiresome.

jmkennedyie

WhatsGoingOn2 wrote: »

I heard from someone that works on the site that they are approx 10 weeks behind schedule

I heard that the unexpected pipework they came across was a significant unforeseen complication

Be well and win

CeilingFly wrote: »

There are approximately 30,000 "movements" a day on that section.

The works started 200 days ago.

That's circa 6 MILLION movements

230ish out of 6 Million



Put it another way, how many people do you know that got 5 numbers in the lottery in the last 2 months - same odds.

Keep reasonable speed for the conditions pertaining at the time you are driving and you'll be fine.

I've seen speed cameras late at night on the Southbound lane.

beertons

Good bit of night work happening this week. Both sides down to 1 lane.

marno21

60km/h speed limit to be extended to J11 M9 from 6am Saturday as per AA Roadwatch

The M7 will be busier than normal this weeksnd with Clare, Limerick and Cork all playing in Croke Park this weekend

barneygumble99

marno21 wrote: »

60km/h speed limit to be extended to J11 M9 from 6am Saturday as per AA Roadwatch

The M7 will be busier than normal this weeksnd with Clare, Limerick and Cork all playing in Croke Park this weekend

They re-lined the hard shoulder between J9 and J10 in the last few days, making the width of the hard shoulder slightly wider like they did between J8 and J9 before the world started. I’m assuming they going to be working in the next mainline section in the near future so.

NedNew2

The contractor is aiming to have the mainline works completed by March 2019.

http://www.m7upgrade.com/

Very heavy traffic and delays over the weekend due to the extended 60 km/h zone.

CeilingFly

NedNew2 wrote: »

The contractor is aiming to have the mainline works completed by March 2019.

http://www.m7upgrade.com/

Very heavy traffic and delays over the weekend due to the extended 60 km/h zone.

Yep, the project manager was on rte radio.

Completion of three lanes both ways end March 2019

Move to new part of road in stages. October 2018 and Dec 2018 - this to allow current lanes to be resurfaced.

So seems a lot better than envisaged.

He also said there have been no delays.