[PR] N2 Carrickmacross Bypass - Slí ¡n Chaomhánaigh "Kavanagh Way" Opens

Victor

http://www.nra.ie/News/PressReleases/d1655.HTML.html

N2 Carrickmacross Bypass - Slí ¡n Chaomhánaigh "Kavanagh Way" Opens
21st January, 2005

Today's official opening of the €52m N2 Carrickmacross Bypass, three months ahead of schedule and within budget, is the first of three bypasses planned in County Monaghan which will dramatically improve the road network in the county as well as in the Northwest and Northeast generally, according to Mr. Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Speaking at the today's opening Mr. Malone said,

"The N2 national route is an important link connecting Dublin to Monaghan town and Donegal along with Derry in Northern Ireland. It is expected the 9 km bypass will deliver a journey time saving of 20 minutes removing 6,000 vehicles a day from Carrickmacross town centre, 18% of which are heavy goods vehicles. It will reduce traffic congestion, increase pedestrian safety and help eliminate traffic pollution enhancing the town centre environment. The good news for road users in County Monaghan is that work will start shortly on the N2 Monaghan Bypass, Phase1, to be followed in autumn of this year by the commencement of construction on the N2 Castleblaney Bypass.

Good access is the key to the future development of a strong and expanding business and tourism sector. The development strategy for the region incorporates improvements on the N2 from the M50 to Ashbourne, and bypasses of Slane, Ardee, Castleblaney and Monaghan. It also includes the M1, which nears completion with the Dundalk Western Bypass making excellent progress, while the contract award for the Newry/Dundalk scheme is imminent. These road improvements will facilitate economic growth in the Northeast.

The Authority is committed to delivering an infrastructure network in the Border, Midlands and Western Region (BMW), which is comparable to the best in Europe and the opening of the Carrickmacross Bypass on the N2 is an indicator of the significantly higher expenditure and construction activity now occurring in the BMW region. Planning is being advanced on a further 28 major projects in the BMW Region totalling 474 km of new high quality national road and this level of activity clearly demonstrates the Authority's commitment to the ongoing development of the Region in line with Government policy."

The bypass has been named Slí an Chaomhánaigh "Kavanagh Way" - to perpetuate the memory and literary achievements of the local poet and author Patrick Kavanagh, whose centenary was celebrated during the past year.

Mr. Declan Nelson, Monaghan County Manager, said

"I welcome this bypass, which has been in the pipeline for many years, and I am convinced is a historic milestone in the development of the county. This major piece of infrastructure will integrate Monaghan with the gateways and hubs that will deliver economic and social benefits for Monaghan, the northwest region and the island of Ireland as a whole.

The bypass opens the whole Northwest region and will be of immense benefit to travellers from Donegal and Derry and elsewhere who have been subjected to uncertainty and delay as they travelled to and from Dublin over the years.

This is a great day for the people of Carrickmacross. They have regained their town and are relieved from daily congestion, pollution and traffic accidents, which are an inevitable consequence of National Primary road traffic.

The people of Carrickmacross have proved themselves to be models of the entrepreneurial spirit and self-motivators in the past. I have no doubt that they will use the new opportunities that the removal of national primary traffic will present to further enhance the productivity of Carrickmacross and its environs and make the town an attractive place in which to live, work, socialize and do business. This scheme represents a &euro52m investment in road infrastructure in the County and is the biggest ever road project in County Monaghan."

Cllr. Owen Bannigan, Monaghan County Mayor stated

"I am honoured as Monaghan County Mayor to be associated with the official opening of the N2 Carrickmacross Bypass. The opening of the scheme will improve the environment in the town for local people by removing through traffic and heavy goods vehicles. The scheme will enhance development and will benefit the local economy and that of the county by providing better access within and between regions. I wish all who use the scheme a safe journey."

The Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 financed the scheme, and it was also part financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund.

Map http://www.nra.ie/News/DownloadableDocumentation/d1538.PDF

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=6360&lang=ENG&loc=1850

Cullen opens €51.8m Carrickmacross By-Pass

21 January 2005
"Investment in Monaghan vital for development in Border Region" says Cullen

Carrickmacross first of three new bypasses for Monaghan

Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD today (21st January, 2005) opened the Carrickmacross bypass in Co. Monaghan. Minister Cullen said that the €51.8m investment, together with two further Government road projects in Castleblayney and Monaghan town is the type of targeted investment required to drive development in the Border region.

The Carrickmacross project joins Kildare, Monasterevin and Cashel bypasses as the fourth NDP project in the past four months to be completed within budget and ahead of schedule.

Minister Cullen said the Carrickmacross bypass, taken with other high-quality road infrastructure projects such as the Monaghan and Castleblayney bypasses, which are well advanced in planning, the upgrade of the N2 between the M50 Interchange and Ashbourne and the completion of the Dublin to Dundalk motorway on the M1 will provide quicker and safer road links between the North West, Northern Ireland, the Border region and Dublin.

He said: "The completion of each project is making life easier and safer for road users. It is also means we will get greater balanced regional development and in doing so, protect and grow jobs."

The 8.5km new single carrigeway bypass of Carrickmacross will take 20 minutes off journeys between the Border and Dublin. When the Castleblayney and Monaghan town projects are completed, this time saving is expected to grow to 50 minutes.

Coming a day after the Minister launched new NRA guidelines for road schemes, the Minister said: "I very much agree that we have to do all we can to reduce the environmental impact of road building. But I totally reject the idea that we can get by without building anything. We cannot achieve lasting regional development without a modern road network. Counties like Monaghan cannot be competitive without quality roads", he said.

Minister Cullen highlighted immediate direct benefits to the people and businesses of Carrickmacross and surrounding areas from the new road including;

· Reduce the accident rates experienced on the present road particularly immediately south of the town through the development of a road offering free-flow traffic conditions at an acceptable speed.

· Provide an improved standard of national road.

· Competitiveness will be improved through reduced transport costs.

· Community development opportunities are now available for residents.

· Improve the environment of those people living adjacent to the existing N2 and in the town of Carrickmacross.

· Remove through traffic from Carrickmacross thereby reducing congestion and improving environmental standards and safety.

· Estimated journey time savings of up to 20 minutes at peak times.

· Reduce vehicle versus pedestrian, cyclist and other road user conflict on the existing route.

24-hours into the nationwide use of metric speed limits, Minister Cullen said that new roads and the 58,000 new speed signs, an addition of 23,000 speed signs on previous numbers, will help save lives.

"Upgraded roads, particularly motorway or dual carriageway standard roads, provide a much safer driving environment. Together with improved speed signage, it makes driving simpler and safer for motorists. This type is a key part of the new Government Road Safety Strategy", he concluded.

ENDS

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Project Description

· The project consists of 8.5km of single carriageway and associated works to replace a substandard section of the existing N2 from Aclint (county boundary) to north of Carrickmacross, bypassing the town to the east.

· It includes the construction of 7 bridges as follows:

Ø Blackfort Road underbridge;

Ø Killany Road underbridge;

Ø An overbridge (Moynalty Duff Farm accommodation bridge);

Ø Dundalk Road underbridge;

Ø Dundalk Road grade separated junction - an underbridge;

Ø An overbridge at Crossmaglen Road, and

Ø Northern grade separated junction - an overbridge.

· Other associated works include:

The realignment of sections of existing roads including Blackfort County Road, Killany Road, Dundalk Road, Crossmaglen Road and Lisanisk Road;

Ø Construction of link roads (Blackfort Road link, which is 530m long and the Ballybay Road link, which is 280m long);

Ø Farm access tracks of varying lengths;

Ø Seven culvert crossings;

Ø Associated drainage works;

Ø Landscaping;

Ø Accommodation works including boundary treatments, fencing and provision of gates and access points, and

Ø Diversion of public and private utilities.

· The Design & Build contract was awarded to Johns Moneley in June 2003 and construction commenced on 29 September 2003.

Archaeology

· All the main archaeological sites were excavated prior to road construction commencement. The sites uncovered comprised a Neolithic settlement of three large and very well built timber-framed houses and a 60m diameter, double ditched ringfort, probably connected with the McMahon Clan (medieval Gaelic Lords of Monaghan). The ringfort was re-occupied during the 17th century when it became a metal working centre and a possible 17th century murder victim had been tossed into the ringfort ditch. Evidence shows this site had been deliberately razed to the ground around 1700.

· Minor sites excavated included a small family cemetery located in the corner of a field, possibly dating to the 18th - 19th century. Fifteen individuals, mostly adults and a few juveniles were excavated.

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Other projects on the N2

Other projects completed / under construction /in planning on the N2 include:

N2 North Road, Finglas

This project involved a 1.8km extension of the dual carriageway from Mellowes Road in the north of Dublin City to the M50 Ring Road. The project was opened to traffic in April 1996.

M50 Interchange to North of Ashbourne (Ashbourne Bypass)

This project provides for a new 17km high quality dual carriageway extending from Finglas to north of Ashbourne. The Design and Build contract was signed in May with construction commencing then also. It is due for completion in August 2006.

N2 Slane By-Pass

This project involves a 4km single carriageway by-pass of Slane and is currently at Route Selection stage.

· N2 Ardee Aclint

This project, which was opened in September, 1999, involved the realignment of over 5.5km of single carriageway on the N2 north of Ardee towards the Co. Monaghan border at Rathory.

M1/N2 Ardee Link Road

On 26 January, 2001 the new N33 road linking the M1 at the Charleville Interchange to a roundabout on the N2 north of Ardee was officially opened. The project involved the construction of 7.9km of single carriageway and two river crossings.

· N2 Ardee By-Pass

This project involves an N2 by-pass consisting of approximately 4km of standard single carriageway and an N52 by-pass consisting of 4km of reduced single carriageway. The timing of the CPO is presently under review.

· N2 Bloomfield / Castleblayney

The entire project involved the realignment of 6.6km of national primary road south of Castleblayney and was completed in 1996.

N2 - Monaghan Bypass/Relief Road

The project will involve approximately 14km of new road from north of Emyvale to Corlatt, south of Monaghan Town. The new road will by-pass both Emyvale and Monaghan. This project will be undertaken in two phases:

Phase 1: A 2.9km two-lane road, from the existing N2/N12 junction (Armagh Road) north of Monaghan town to a new roundabout on the N2 at Corlatt. The tender process has been completed with the successful contractor to be appointed in the coming weeks following the production of the necessary bonds/insurances. The project construction is scheduled to start on 21 February with an expected contract duration of 15 months.

Phase 2: This comprises 11.3km of two-lane road, from the existing N2/N12 junction (Armagh Road) to north of Emyvale. Phase 2 has received Part IIX Planning Stage approval.

Castleblayney Bypass

A 15.3km wide 2+1 lane road from the existing N2 at Tullybuck to the existing N2 at Tullyvin, bypassing Clontibret, Annyalla and Castleblayney. The estimated cost of the scheme is €108.9million. The restricted tender process for D & B contractors is underway and submissions from interested parties have been received. The construction contract is expected to be awarded in Quarter 3 of 2005.

PDF map attached

Downloads:

Both of these appear to be the same:

http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/6360-0.pdf
http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/6360-1.pdf

Andrew Duffy

I drove along this in both directions over the weekend. The two trumpet interchanges between single-carriageway roads are odd, but good. The cutting the road runs through is massive; I'm surprised that there was no environmental protest against it. However, five months after the official opening the southern tie-in is still not finished - it's a construction site for about 200m.