Government Capital Spending on Roads: 2016-2022

road_high

Aontachtoir wrote: »

In 2011 we were still locked into the bailout and could neither borrow on the international markets nor spend the French, German and Dutch taxpayers' money we were propping ourselves up with as we liked. Those years of recession were really, really bad. The government didn't miss an opportunity to build. Building (and planning!) takes money, money, money. We never had that money, so we never had the opportunity in the first place.

Things, happily, are very different now. After Leo balances the books, we become much freer to spend as we see fit (as long as the books stay balanced, of course).

Priorities...they choose maintaining (still amongst the highest welfare rates in the Western World) welfare rather than cutting that and channeling a few extra billion into infrastructure. Even though we were in a bailout, tough choices were dodged in favour of perceived easier and short term ones.

Aontachtoir

road_high wrote: »

Aontachtoir wrote: »

In 2011 we were still locked into the bailout and could neither borrow on the international markets nor spend the French, German and Dutch taxpayers' money we were propping ourselves up with as we liked. Those years of recession were really, really bad. The government didn't miss an opportunity to build. Building (and planning!) takes money, money, money. We never had that money, so we never had the opportunity in the first place.

Things, happily, are very different now. After Leo balances the books, we become much freer to spend as we see fit (as long as the books stay balanced, of course).

Priorities...they choose maintaining (still amongst the highest welfare rates in the Western World) welfare rather than cutting that and channeling a few extra billion into infrastructure. Even though we were in a bailout, tough choices were dodged in favour of perceived easier and short term ones.

I doubt the IMF would simply have allowed the government to cut spending in one area and increase it in another. Very likely it would have been a case of "if you can cut welfare, you can pay us back faster". Furthermore, leaving welfare mostly intact allowed the country to maintain some degree of stability through the worst of the crash. Slashing welfare would have seen mass street protests and chaos like in Greece.

unit 1

road_high wrote: »

Priorities...they choose maintaining (still amongst the highest welfare rates in the Western World) welfare rather than cutting that and channeling a few extra billion into infrastructure. Even though we were in a bailout, tough choices were dodged in favour of perceived easier and short term ones.

Politicians want votes. There are more votes in retaining social welfare rates (for many who became unemployed through no fault of their own, and paid prsi) than there is in building new roads.
Unemployed > road builders, voterwise, so politicians will gravitate towards the larger voting block.
There is also an element of fairness in it in that it would be unjust to cut rates for many newly unemployed who may have paid prsi for years to lower rates that the alleged feckless would have enjoyed previously.
First world problem, defer infrastructure to let people ride out the storm of the century that we had.

marno21

Latest update on road schemes in Ireland.

Capital plan (schemes with planning):
N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin

This scheme is currently subject to advance works, with a tender for engineering consultants to take the scheme through the tender, construction and handover stages currently awaiting an award. A construction tender is expected in Q4 2017.

N5 Westport to Turlough

This scheme is currently at the advance works stage with a construction tender expected in Q4 2017.

M7 Naas Newbridge bypass upgrade + R407 Sallins bypass

This project has been awarded to SIAC/Colas JV and is to start in September 2017. The M7 widening is to wrap up in Autumn 2019 and the rest is to open in early 2020.

N8/N25/N40 Dunkettle Interchange

Construction tenders were issued in May, with construction to begin in Q1 2019. The concise detailed design and traffic management planning is the reason for the long delay between tender and construction.

N22 Macroom to Ballyvourney

This is at the advance works stage with a consultancy tender out and a construction tender likely in Q1 2018.

N56 Dungloe to Glenties

This scheme has been split into several stages:

* Phase 1: Cloghbolie to Boyoughter opened in 2013.
* Phase 2: Boyoughter to Kilkenny opened in January 2017.
* Phase 3: Kilkenny to Letterilly is expected to start in Q1 2018, with a Q3 2019 opening.
* Phase 4: Letterilly to Glenties is at the advance works stage with a 2020 start anticipated.

The remainder is being progressed with funding guaranteed as part of the Capital Plan.

N56 Mountcharles to Inver

This scheme has been split in 2:

Phase 1: Mountcharles to Drumbeigh (2.5km); this is to start in Q4 2017 with a Q2 2019 finish. A construction tender was published in September.
Phase 2: Drumbeigh to Inver Bridge (2.4km); will start after completion of Phase 1.

N59 Moycullen Bypass

This is ready to tender immediately, with no further work required prior to construction. There is €2m allocated for 2017 so there should be movement.

Capital plan (schemes without planning):

N2 Slane bypass

This scheme was started afresh in February 2017, and has passed the feasibility study stage. It is currently at the route selection stage.

N6 Galway City Ring Road

This scheme is to be sent to ABP in Q4 2017. It is expected to be shovel ready by 2021.

N21/N69 Limerick to Foynes

A submission to An Bord Pleanala is expected in Q4 2017, with design and EIS preperation currently ongoing. The detailed route of this scheme has been released with junctions planned north of Adare, at Croagh and with the existing N21/new Foynes link at Rathkeale. The mainline is planned as Type 1 DC with the Foynes link planned as Type 1 SC with no local access.

M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

In light of heavy local objection, this scheme was sent to An Bord Pleanala in May 2017. A decision on planning is due before progression to the detailed design and tender stage. The scheme is currently pending an Oral Hearing, and a decision is due before 21 December 2017.

N72 Mallow Relief Road

This scheme remains at the feasibility stage, and with no funding allocated for 2017, it is anticipated there will be no movement on the scheme in 2017.

N78 Athy Southern Distributor Road

This scheme was sent to ABP in April 2017, with the CPO published at the same time. A decision is due by 10 October 2017.

Capital plan (others):

A5 Western Transport Corridor

If this makes it through the ongoing public hearing, this could start in late 2017, with the first stretch from Newbuildings to Strabane.

Other schemes (without central funding):

N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge

This scheme is to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala imminently, however it is not funded at present.

N13 / N14 / N15 Donegal schemes

Schemes are:
N13/N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (includes upgrade of existing N13 dual carriageway)
N14 Letterkenny to Lifford
N15 Ballybofey/Stranorlar bypass

Consultants are currently taking these three schemes through the feasbility study, route selection, design and environmental impact assessment stages.

M20 Cork to Limerick

This has been reactivated but there is currently no funding to take this through the planning stages. It will take until Q1 2018 for "initial data collection and model updates" to take place.

N52 Ardee bypass

This scheme is shovel ready and is expected to be included in the Capital Plan midterm review.

N69 Listowel bypass

This scheme was sent to An Bord Pleanala in May 2017, planning decision due by 9th November 2017.

N86 Tralee to Dingle

This scheme (bar the two ongoing realignments near Lispole and Camp) has planning approved and is going through the advance works stage at present. The two current sections are nearing the completion of earthworks and is expected to be open in Q2 2018.

Pipeline schemes:

Several pipeline schemes are to be reactivated and progressed as funding becomes available. So far, the following have been confirmed:

N2 Clontibret to Northern Ireland Border
N2 Ardee to Castleblayney
N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction

marno21

Here is what the queue (national roads) is like at the minute, in accordance with the TII's Project Management Guidelines. I've left out a few smaller schemes but I can add them if you have the info.

Complete:
N56 Cloghbolie-Boyoughter (2013)
N56 Boyoughter-Kilkenny (01/2017)

Phase 7 - Completion and handover
N17 - Tuam Bypass (27/09/2017)
M17/M18 Gort-Tuam (27/09/2017)

Phase 6 - Construction
M7 widening J9 Naas North - J11 M9
M7 junction 10 realignment
M7 J9A Osberstown
M11/N30/N80 Gorey-Enniscorthy
N25/N30 New Ross bypass
N52 Cloghan-Turin Phase I
N55 Corduff-South of Killydoon
N63 Abbeyknockmoy-Annagh Hill
N76 Tennypark-Brownstown
N86 Lispole-Ballynasare
N86 Ballygarret-Camp
R407 Sallins bypass

Phase 5 - Tender
N2 Monaghan-Emyvale realignment
N8/N25/N40 Dunkettle Interchange
N56 Mountcharles-Drumbeigh
N56 Coolboy-Kilmacrennan
N61 Coolteige
N70 Kilderry bends

Phase 5 - Advance works
N4 Collooney-Castlebaldwin (tender due shortly)
N5 Westport-Turlough (tender due shortly)
N22 Macroom-Ballyvourney (tender due)
N52 Ardee bypass (advance works)*
N56 Kilkenny-Letterilly (tender due shortly)
N56 Letterilly-Glenties (advance works)
N56 Drumbeigh-Inver (advance works)
N59 Moycullen bypass (advance works)
N59 Maam Cross-Bunnakill (ground investigation)
N86 Dingle-Annascaul & Gortbreagoge-Camp

Phase 4 - Planning submitted - decision due
M28 Cork-Ringaskiddy (decision due 21/12/2017)
N69 Listowel bypass* (decision due 09/11/2017)
N78 Athy Distributor Street (decision due 10/10/2017)

Phase 3/4 - EIS/MO/design ongoing
N3 Snugborough Interchange Upgrade
N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge
N6 Galway City Ring Road
N15 Corcam Bends realignment
N16 Lugatober (Drumkilsellagh-Lugnagall)
N21/N69 Limerick-Foynes
N61 Ballymurray-Knockcroghery
N61 Tulsk-Clashganney
M3 Motorway Service Area (Dunshaughlin)
M6/M17/M18 Motorway Service Area (Oranmore)
M18 Motorway Service Area (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

Phase 2 - Route selection
N2 Slane bypass

Phase 1 - Feasibility study
N13/N56 Letterkenny-Manorcunningham
N14 Letterkenny-Lifford
N15 Ballybofey/Stranorlar bypass
N72 Mallow Relief Road

Early activities

M20 Cork-Limericks

Phase 0 - yet to be started (firm plans indicated officially)

N2 Castleblayney-Ardee
N2 Clontibret-NI border
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction

In addition to these schemes, TII would like to add a number of schemes to the end of the queue to be progressed as funding becomes available. So far the only confirmed scheme is the N24 scheme as above. Others which have been mentioned with the N24 scheme are:

* N4 Mullingar-Longford
* N17 Tuam-Claremorris*
* N17 Tobercurry bypass
* M20 Cork-Limerick
* N21 Abbeyfeale bypass
* N21 Newcastlewest bypass
* N25 Carrigtwohill-Midleton
* N25 Waterford-Glenmore
* N11/N25 Oilgate-Rosslare
* N40 Cork North Ring Road
* N52 Tullamore-Kilbeggan
* N71 Inishannon bypass
* N81 Blessington bypass

(* unconfirmed by TII - newspaper rumours)

Horace Cope

Aontachtoir wrote: »

In 2011 we were still locked into the bailout and could neither borrow on the international markets nor spend the French, German and Dutch taxpayers' money we were propping ourselves up with as we liked. Those years of recession were really, really bad. The government didn't miss an opportunity to build. Building (and planning!) takes money, money, money. We never had that money, so we never had the opportunity in the first place.

Things, happily, are very different now. After Leo balances the books, we become much freer to spend as we see fit (as long as the books stay balanced, of course).

This is nothing but propaganda in my opinion! :mad: Government expenditure has remained above its 2007 levels every year since!
We could have reduced the money given to people on the scratcher ( and to state/public sector pensions) and prioritise infrastructure - but we choose not to. This is how the state spent our money each year!

Source: http://www.whereyourmoneygoes.gov.ie/en/2017/
(in EUR Billions)

Year        2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017
Gov Exp     62.7   68.8   75.9   69.1   75.9   67.6   67.5   70.5   70.4   68.4   68.7
Social Prot 15.5   17.8   20.4   20.8   20.9   20.7   20.2   19.8   19.9   19.8   19.9
Health      15     16     16     15.1   14.4   14.2   14.1   13.7   13.3   14.1   14.6
Educ        8.7    9.3    9.4    9.7    9.2    8.9    8.8    8.8    9.1    9.2    9.5
Trans       2.9    3.7    3.2    2.7    2.3    2.1    1.7    1.8    1.7    1.8    1.8

(In percentage CHANGES on 2007 levels)

Year        2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017
Gov Exp     +0%    +9.7%  +21%   +10.2% +21%   +7.8%  +7.7%  +12.4% +12.3% +9%    +9.6%
Social Prot +0%    +14.8% +31.6% +34.2% +34.8% +33.6% +30.3% +27.7% +28.4% +27.7% +28.4%
Health      +0%    +6.67% +6.67% +0.67% -4%    -5.3%  -6%    -8.8%  -11.3% -6%    -2.7%
Educ        +0%    +6.9%  +8%    +11.5% +5.8%  +2.3%  +1.2%  +1.2%  +4.6%  +5.8%  +9.2%
Transport   +0%    +27.6% +10.3% -6.9%  -20.7% -27.6% -41.4% -37.9% -41.4% -37.9% -37.9%

Kevwoody

Of course there was a rise in Social Protection after 2007, half the country lost their jobs! The worst recession in recent history was a little more than "propaganda"!

marno21

Kevwoody wrote: »

Of course there was a rise in Social Protection after 2007, half the country lost their jobs! The worst recession in recent history was a little more than "propaganda"!

We are almost at full employment and the money being spent by the Department of Social Protection has pretty much remained static.

Horace Cope

Kevwoody wrote: »

Of course there was a rise in Social Protection after 2007, half the country lost their jobs! The worst recession in recent history was a little more than "propaganda"!

I believe the highest unemployment went to was about 16%, yet social protection budget increased by over a third!

jd

Horace Cope wrote: »

I believe the highest unemployment went to was about 16%, yet social protection budget increased by over a third!

I'm not sure what your point is, but we were at close to full employment (4%) pre bust. So by your figures our unemployment rate increased by well over a third!
I agree on the point about the expenditure not decreasing as unemployment decreased.

Horace Cope

jd wrote: »

I'm not sure what your point is, but we were at close to full employment (4%) pre bust. So by your figures our unemployment rate increased by well over a third!

My point was that there was never half the country unemployed as someone above alluded to (albeit flippantly) On the contrary, even at our worst, only 1 in 6 were unemployed. Social Protection figures include pensions and disability payments - payments to those on the scratcher are only one element.

As more people became unemployed, the pot for scratchers should have been split more thinly, like the government did in other areas - not increased!
- hell we ever cut the health budget despite the population being as sick as in 2007 if not more so.

So all those out of work, when they are at their lowest, during the worst economic downturn in the history of the state, where the tax take has been slashed, the welfare bill has rocketed and we're borrowing just to keep the lights on, you're saying cut the welfare so you can build a road

Good luck with that

Keeping people fed was a much greater priority than road building and I say that as someone who loved the rapid deployment of motorways during the boom. But it was just a that, a boom. Now we are over the hump and returning to a more sustainable level of infrastructure investment and development now that there is some additional funds available.

As for the health budget, that was more down to O'Reilly's ineptitude than anything else. Joan and the rest walked rings around him and his dept suffered as a result

BelfastVanMan

Horace Cope wrote: »

My point was that there was never half the country unemployed as someone above alluded to (albeit flippantly) On the contrary, even at our worst, only 1 in 6 were unemployed. Social Protection figures include pensions and disability payments - payments to those on the scratcher are only one element.

As more people became unemployed, the pot for scratchers should have been split more thinly, like the government did in other areas - not increased!
- hell we ever cut the health budget despite the population being as sick as in 2007 if not more so.

"only" 1 in 6?

Well, as long as you were alright.....pffft.

marno21

DTTAS have made a submission for extra funding as part of the Capital Plan review. Here is their priority list regarding roads funding for 2018 & 2019:

1. Introduction of variable speed limits on the M50.
2. Energy reduction programme on roads
3. Reintroduction of local improvement scheme & drainage works
4. Master Licence Record Project*
5. IDA Priority Link road schemes (Tralee & Sligo)
6. M11/N11 capacity improvements around Bray
7. R498 Latteragh realignment
8. TII Minor safety realignments
9. N52 Ardee bypass
10. Winter maintenance fleet renewal
11. M20 Cork-Limerick planning
12. N40 Demand Management system
13. Coonagh-Knockalisheen Phase 2 & Killaloe bypass acceleration
14. N69 Listowel bypass
15. Road planning of 13 new major roads projects (N5 Ballaghaderren-Scramoge & N69 Listowel; N2 Clontibret-NI, N4 Mullingar-Longford, M11 Oilgate, N13/N56 Letterkenny, N14 Letterkenny-Lifford, N15 Ballybofey, N17 Tuam-Collooney, M20, N21 Abbeyfeale/Newcastlewest, N24 Cahir-LJ)
16. Carrigaline western relief road, Cork Science & Technology Park access & Thurles relief road
17. Accelerated delivery of N4 Collooney-Castlebaldwin
18. Accelerated delivery of N5 Westport-Turlough
19. Accelerated delivery of N22 Macroom-Ballyvourney
20. Accelerated delivery of N59 Moycullen bypass

The accelerated delivery above means that the four projects mentioned won't start until late 2019 if at all before 2020.

* On foot of The Garda Inspectorate report on the Fixed Charge Processing System
recommendation that a system be introduced to ensure that all penalty points are
endorsed on driving licences by associating driving licence holders with one or more
vehicles through on the NVDF, creating a ‘Master Licence Record’ (MLR).

More details: http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/DTTAS-Capital-Review-Submission.pdf

marno21

According to DTTAS's submission to the Capital Plan midterm review, here's what they would like added:

Construction:
N52 Ardee bypass

Approval required:
N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge
N69 Listowel bypass

In addition to this, they are proposing to fully advance 13 major schemes from where they are at present, many of which require a total restart:

N2 Clontibret-NI Border (single carriageway)
N4 Mullingar-Longford (2+2)
M11 Scurlocksbush-Oilgate south (motorway)
N13/N15 Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass (2+2)
N13 Letterkenny dual carriageway upgrade + N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (single carriageway)
N14 Manorcunningham-Lifford (2+2)
N17 Tobercurry-Collooney (2+2)
M20 Cork-Limerick (motorway)
N21 Newcastlewest bypass (single carriageway)
N21 Abbeyfeale bypass (single carriageway)
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction (2+2)

I'm disappointed at some of these. The N2 section will be connecting directly to dual carriageways on either side. The N4 section has traffic levels warranting motorway. The M11 stub solves nothing only adds more traffic directly to the Wexford bypass. The N21 needs dualling from Rathkeale to Co. Kerry, not more single carriageway bypasses that are half baked. Donegal schemes, M20 & N24 are very positive though.

marno21

The above submission was made before May 2017 and only came into the public domain recently. I have to say that it's one of the most unambitious submissions I've seen yet, as the above covers all road building in Ireland up until at least 2026.

I'm hoping Leo's new capital plan has some shake up.

road_high

marno21 wrote: »

According to DTTAS's submission to the Capital Plan midterm review, here's what they would like added:

Construction:
N52 Ardee bypass

Approval required:
N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge
N69 Listowel bypass

In addition to this, they are proposing to fully advance 13 major schemes from where they are at present, many of which require a total restart:

N2 Clontibret-NI Border (single carriageway)
N4 Mullingar-Longford (2+2)
M11 Scurlocksbush-Oilgate south (motorway)
N13/N15 Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass (2+2)
N13 Letterkenny dual carriageway upgrade + N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (single carriageway)
N14 Manorcunningham-Lifford (2+2)
N17 Tobercurry-Collooney (2+2)
M20 Cork-Limerick (motorway)
N21 Newcastlewest bypass (single carriageway)
N21 Abbeyfeale bypass (single carriageway)
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction (2+2)

I'm disappointed at some of these. The N2 section will be connecting directly to dual carriageways on either side. The N4 section has traffic levels warranting motorway. The M11 stub solves nothing only adds more traffic directly to the Wexford bypass. The N21 needs dualling from Rathkeale to Co. Kerry, not more single carriageway bypasses that are half baked. Donegal schemes, M20 & N24 are very positive though.

I hope not 2+2 on some of these, especially the N4 to Longford. That warrants full motorway.

MayoSalmon

road_high wrote:

I hope not 2+2 on some of these, especially the N4 to Longford. That warrants full motorway.

Couldn't agree more...main road for all of Sligo and majority of Mayo..nonsense for 2+2 here. Serious lack of future proofing here if they don't make it a motorway submission

Middle Man

N2 Clontibret-NI Border (single carriageway)
N4 Mullingar-Longford (2+2) (motorway)
M11 Scurlocksbush-Oilgate south Wexford (motorway)
N13/N15 Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass (2+2)
N13 Letterkenny dual carriageway upgrade + N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (single carriageway)
N14 Manorcunningham-Lifford (2+2)
N17 Tobercurry-Collooney (2+2)
M20 Cork-Limerick (motorway)
N21 Newcastlewest bypass (single carriageway) (2+2)
N21 Abbeyfeale bypass (single carriageway) (2+2)
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction (2+2)

Made some corrections to that list!

Donegal Storm

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Couldn't agree more...main road for all of Sligo and majority of Mayo..nonsense for 2+2 here. Serious lack of future proofing here if they don't make it a motorway submission

N2 being single carriageway would be even worse.. it's near impossible to overtake for most of the route at the moment because of the volume of traffic, even along the upgraded sections. If it's connecting into a DC at the border then building a brand new road here as single carriageway would be ridiculous

BelfastVanMan

Donegal Storm wrote: »

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Couldn't agree more...main road for all of Sligo and majority of Mayo..nonsense for 2+2 here. Serious lack of future proofing here if they don't make it a motorway submission

N2 being single carriageway would be even worse.. it's near impossible to overtake for most of the route at the moment because of the volume of traffic, even along the upgraded sections. If it's connecting into a DC at the border then building a brand new road here as single carriageway would be ridiculous

I hope it's a misprint....sure it's S2 already! What an utter waste of money that would be!

roadmaster

marno21 wrote: »

According to DTTAS's submission to the Capital Plan midterm review, here's what they would like added:

Construction:
N52 Ardee bypass

Approval required:
N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge
N69 Listowel bypass

In addition to this, they are proposing to fully advance 13 major schemes from where they are at present, many of which require a total restart:

N2 Clontibret-NI Border (single carriageway)
N4 Mullingar-Longford (2+2)
M11 Scurlocksbush-Oilgate south (motorway)
N13/N15 Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass (2+2)
N13 Letterkenny dual carriageway upgrade + N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (single carriageway)
N14 Manorcunningham-Lifford (2+2)
N17 Tobercurry-Collooney (2+2)
M20 Cork-Limerick (motorway)
N21 Newcastlewest bypass (single carriageway)
N21 Abbeyfeale bypass (single carriageway)
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction (2+2)

I'm disappointed at some of these. The N2 section will be connecting directly to dual carriageways on either side. The N4 section has traffic levels warranting motorway. The M11 stub solves nothing only adds more traffic directly to the Wexford bypass. The N21 needs dualling from Rathkeale to Co. Kerry, not more single carriageway bypasses that are half baked. Donegal schemes, M20 & N24 are very positive though.

Is Mullingar/Longford green field or along the existing route if its Type2?

marno21

roadmaster wrote: »

Is Mullingar/Longford green field or along the existing route if its Type2?

Some of it will be along the existing route, we'll find out for sure when it's restarted and route selection is done.

I can't see it going ahead as 2+2, it'd be over capacity from day 1

veryangryman

Is it really that much long distance traffic using those roads though? Mullingar to Longford i mean. Id imagine that 3/4 or more of it is actually just doing a 20 mile or less run at a time.

I ask as Motorways are generally for long distance traffic, not commuters.

Otherwise they'd sort out the Lucans of this world sooner.

loyatemu

marno21 wrote: »

The M11 stub solves nothing only adds more traffic directly to the Wexford bypass.

it's a fairly small project that removes the last village between Wexford and Dublin - much of the traffic at that point is going to/from Wexford Town so I don't think it will impact the WX bypass that much. Obviously it would be better to get the whole route to Rosslare completed but I'd agree that bypassing Oilgate is the highest priority bit, and probably should have been included in the Enniscorthy scheme given how close to Oilgate that scheme ends.

Pete_Cavan

veryangryman wrote: »

Is it really that much long distance traffic using those roads though? Mullingar to Longford i mean. Id imagine that 3/4 or more of it is actually just doing a 20 mile or less run at a time.

I ask as Motorways are generally for long distance traffic, not commuters.

Plus you would expect a proportion (how big or small I don't know) of Mayo long distance traffic to switch from the N5/M4 to the M17/M6 route now. I guess it will depend on how much of the existing road between Mullingar and Longford can be upgraded. If most of it, plus bypassing the villages then it won't be very expensive, if large stretches of offline motorway building is required then it will be hard to justify.

The N5 Ballaghadereen to Scramoge seems like a nightmare in terms of ground conditions and archeology. Why not upgrade the N4 and bypass COS (needs to happen anyway) and then link that to the Ballaghadereen bypass? Long distance traffic departing/arriving between Ballaghadereen and Termonbarry doesn't even come into the conversation.

marno21

marno21 wrote: »

According to DTTAS's submission to the Capital Plan midterm review, here's what they would like added:

Construction:
N52 Ardee bypass

Approval required:
N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge
N69 Listowel bypass

In addition to this, they are proposing to fully advance 13 major schemes from where they are at present, many of which require a total restart:

N2 Clontibret-NI Border (single carriageway)
N4 Mullingar-Longford (2+2)
M11 Scurlocksbush-Oilgate south (motorway)
N13/N15 Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass (2+2)
N13 Letterkenny dual carriageway upgrade + N56 Letterkenny Relief Road (single carriageway)
N14 Manorcunningham-Lifford (2+2)
N17 Tobercurry-Collooney (2+2)
M20 Cork-Limerick (motorway)
N21 Newcastlewest bypass (single carriageway)
N21 Abbeyfeale bypass (single carriageway)
N24 Cahir-Limerick Junction (2+2)

I'm disappointed at some of these. The N2 section will be connecting directly to dual carriageways on either side. The N4 section has traffic levels warranting motorway. The M11 stub solves nothing only adds more traffic directly to the Wexford bypass. The N21 needs dualling from Rathkeale to Co. Kerry, not more single carriageway bypasses that are half baked. Donegal schemes, M20 & N24 are very positive though.

Apologies, I missed three:

N25 Carrigtwohill-Midleton
N25 Waterford-Glenmore
N52 Tullamore-Kilbeggan

pigtown

Any mention of the Adare-Foynes road?

marno21

pigtown wrote: »

Any mention of the Adare-Foynes road?

To be submitted for planning permission in Q4 2017/Q1 2018. Likely 2021 start.

spacetweek

pigtown wrote: »

Any mention of the Adare-Foynes road?

That scheme is already in the bag (already committed). The list he posted is new stuff.