N8/N25/N40 - Dunkettle Interchange [open to traffic]

Yes, I had thought that coming from n8s and wanting to go n25e that one would have to cross two lanes. Only going the one is fine. Still think there'll be an issue when people inevitably go from the right hand lane from tunnel to there (despite the logic of a lane each being signposted differently), trying to cross 2 lanes, but not as severe as had thought.

Yes. The same pattern has also been used for over fifteen years at N40 West/N27/Togher, and I’ve never heard of any incidents there.

The only differences between N40 Togher and this are that this one will have longer stretches for merge/diverge, and will operate under a lower speed-limit.

The latest official progress video flies right over this part of the interchage. Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade - Weekly Newsletter 12/08/2022 - YouTube

Link E is the slip from M8 to N25 West, Link A is the two lanes of traffic coming from the tunnel. Maybe it looks tight because there are no line markings, but look at the cars parked on the site to get a sense of the size: there will be three wide lanes of traffic here.

Yes.

The Little Island West to N25 East is one potential "problem" movement, but the Little Island West to Glanmire movement is another.

Or the example I had was: this is the sustainable transport (pedestrian and cycle) route. The current design has them dashing across the road to perform the North to South movement here. If someone gets knocked down then there will be queuing as you describe, and the tunnel will quickly back up also. I suspect what will happen is that the majority of resultant traffic will move on to Little Island East junction, but not without significant slowdowns/tailbacks.

This is definitely the most clunky piece of the overall design. But I don't think there were straightforward alternatives. At least none that I saw. I'd definitely prefer to see a proper pedestrian/cycle bridge materialise in the future though and at least get rid of one potential problem.

Edit: the potential future pedestrian/cycle improvements are a new East-West route over the Glashaboy river leading South of the tunnel, and a new North-South bridge over the railway and N25 from Little Island train station into Eastgate.

Does the latest email not make any sense? It alludes to westbound resurfacing yet the map and detour show eastbound resurfacing.

The picture in the email is different to what you have there, the wording alludes to your picture. Picture is below.

Any guesses as to when the m8s link will open? Must be in next 2/3 weeks

Edited to include picture

That's interesting - my pic came from the newsletter on the website. However at least you've got a sneak peak of how they're going to open the new eastbound lanes.

They've announced the full closure on the N25W for the weekend has been pared back to just nights.

I'm not surprised, weekend or not that would have been biblical.

Meanwhile, a new surface is now down on the eastbound lanes of N25. Can’t say if this is particularly new or not, except that it has happened since Monday morning. Traffic for N25 East from the main roundabout now seems to be routed onto the newly-constructed lanes of Links A and E and the new Little Island exit (i.e., you now drive on the left, with a construction barrier to your right with the "old" road lanes behind that barrier). As promised in the news updates, it is indeed a low-noise surface, and a pleasant change to the normal very coarse surfacing material we use here.

Best solution would be the blur not to be merging with red and forced to use the dumbbell to join N25E

Speed van on the flyover section above the roundabout. Parked doing motorists travelling eastwards.

a question for all. Are those 35kph signs enforceable? Assume only the 60kph limit is enforceable? The 35kph signs are advisory only?

I thought all posted speed signs were enforceable. But will they be enforced? I struggle to imagine anything less than 50 being enforced anywhere if I'm honest.

My understanding is that the only legal speed limits in Ireland end in 0s.

All those limits ending in 5s are only advisory. I really don’t understand the point of them.

Interesting: every day's a school day!

I agree: if it's not enforceable, it's pointless. Possibly even dangerous.

I don't fully get it: would you not need to post the "new speed" immediately afterwards anyway?

Where does the 35kmh "caution" end? Wherever you feel like it?

I never knew this! Perhaps I should re-sit my driving test!