N59 - Moycullen Bypass [completed Dec 2023]

A few photos as promised.

Photo taken from the new Knockferry road (L1313) bridge, looking towards the Oughterard end of the bypass.

From the same new bridge, but looking towards the Galway city side of the bypass.

This will be a major improvement for Moycullen and for those travelling further west to Connemara. Surely there are plans to bypass Oughterard? It would make the journey to Clifden and Connemara so much more bearable for the 10s of thousands who make it every year.

It's a bypass - not a distributor road.

That's not what the stakeholders are saying.

They are not ruling out future changes, as stated in article here.

Road markings were done a few days ago

It's not wasted. Wide shoulders suit our rural primary routes, which have low traffic volumes but a relatively high number of slow vehicles. Giving slower traffic a space to pull in safely prevents long tailbacks from forming.

There is nowhere near enough traffic here to justify a dual carriageway. The other alternative of two lanes each way with no median divider is proven to be far, far more dangerous than a single carriageway with wide shoulders, and so it isn't permitted for new construction.

Wait, so you are not asking for a dual carriageway but want an overtaking lane?

An overtaking lane on a short stretch of new road like the Moycullen bypass is essentially a dual carrigeway, unless you want a 2+1 which we don't build. The hard shoulders are too narrow for driving lanes so can't just be converted.

Hard shoulders allow for breakdowns or accidents to be moved to the side, avoiding delays and reducing potential for further accidents. The margonal extra cost of the hard shoulders is small and brings benefits, I really don't see what your problem is.

Holy shít, a dual carriage way around the village of Moycullen.

Ive seen it all now

Because this configuration is safer. The thing you’re suggesting, a four lane road without a median divider, is proven to be lethal in every country it’s been tried.

On this type of road, the hard shoulder is there for the use of non-motor users including cyclists and pedestrians, and there is a need for them because this is a national road, and thus a public right of way.

If you provide an overtaking lane on the open, flat road, there's a significant share of drivers who will speed up to use them, even if they were already driving at the speed limit: we all know the type - needs to be ahead of everyone else. The problem with this is that when the lane ends, they can end up facing oncoming traffic, at high speed. This behaviour was seen on all of the 2+1 pilot roads with significant traffic, and that's why we don't do 2+1 roads anymore. (undivided 2+2 roads are lethal in a different way, because cars travelling fast in the passing lane can meet cross traffic or right-turners from the opposing lane).

Overtaking lanes are only used on hills, so that traffic doesn't get stuck behind heavy vehicles, but in this case the steep gradient also prevents excessive speed from overtaking cars.

Have they published a date when this is expected to open?

Also, do we know the old N59's part new road name/number?

The bypass is opening on December 11th

It was on GCC development plans from the 70s.

The main section of the ring road of my town was on development plans from 1987 onwards and still hasn't broken ground (although I think the CPOs have vested). One section is built through two estates and still closed. We may beat Moycullen yet.

Hope Moycullen can now get the long awaited bus shelters in the Village itself. Waiting decades for them

a real pity they didn't include a hard shoulder on the N59 Bunnakill to Maam Cross section. I believe the logic was it would make the carrigeway feel wider and drivers would be more likely to speed. Instead they have 50cm of tarmac and a wide grassy area on either side of the road with the result that it does feel wide to drivers but it's not particularly safe for cyclists (or pedestrians but not that many of those would use that section of road) .

you must be thinking of a different road....

Have to wait for the Greenway.........will be the northern side of this section that was done from Bunnakill to Maam Cross. Pretty simple job this stretch, nearly 100% on the old railway alignment and was used as a road to service the bog when Keoghs cut turf here until recently.

Agree.

Last time I was passing Recess about 3 weeks ago they looked to be clearing section of the Greenway from the Quarry to Joyces(lakeside) - any other area's getting work done West of that towards Clifden?

Thanks for that info tphase

Official opening date is 11th

https://connachttribune.ie/taoiseach-to-officially-open-moycullen-bypass-on-december-11th/

Will Road be officially opened first though for walking and cycling first weekend of the 9/10th of Dec I wonder?

Do we know what's the reclassification of the old part of N59 going through the town?

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2023/1211/1421347-galway-bypass/#

"

I'm a strong believer that it is compliant with the climate action plan. Building the ring road will free up the city in so many different ways for pedestrians, for cyclists, being able to use road space much more efficiently for these people.

"

no specifics or examples on what freed up space will be created from Taoiseach Leo in Galway City - but for this thread what are they going to do with the freed space now in Moycullen village?

It should really be the Part 2 of the Moycullen Bypass plan. What to do now with the freed up space in the village.

This should apply to ALL bypass plans IMHO.