IRL: M50 updates

The study of British and Irish roads - their construction, numbering, history, mapping, past and future official roads proposals and general roads musings.

There is a separate forum for Street Furniture (traffic lights, street lights, road signs etc).

Registered users get access to other forums including discussions about other forms of transport, driving, fantasy roads and wishlists, and roads quizzes.

Moderator: Site Management Team

Post Reply
User avatar
bothar
Member
Posts: 4805
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 22:50
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by bothar »

Stunning pics, those. Ireland looks amazing with snow
It's a new strategy to increase off season tourism.

Well done, these could keep photo of the month going for most of 2011!
"I intend to always travel a different road"
Ibn Battuta 1304-1368
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

Cameras of M1 widening beteen J2 and 3

Image

Image
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

The RPA has put up a video with shows how Metro West will traverse the M50/N2 interchange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fCjR5XvZUI


(skip to 3.50)
Retro King
Member
Posts: 80
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 19:12
Location: Ulster

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Retro King »

That is an excellent video presentation, can't help thinking we'll be looking at it in 15 years the same way as we now look at plans for craigavon road network.
User avatar
Truvelo
Member
Posts: 17456
Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 21:10
Location: Staffordshire
Contact:

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Truvelo »

How much are all those impressive looking bridges and viaducts going to cost?
How would you like your grade separations, Sir?
Big and complex.
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

It will be a few years before that gets underway and so you cannot really price it atm.


3 lanes have opened Southbound and Northbound on the M1 between J2 and J3.

Image

Image


This should be of some good benefit to commuters but the M1 really needs to be widened far further out - as far as North of Balbriggan IMO.
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

Details of proposed interchange upgrade on the N3 at Mulhuddart just outside the M50

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Files/Roads/09016200.pdf


Comhairle Contae Fhine Gall
Fingal County Council
Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2006
Part VIII Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – 2006
N3 Mulhuddart Interchange Upgrade
Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of the proposed construction by Fingal County Council of the above Scheme.
The proposed works comprise:-
Construction of a new 2-span bridge on the western side of the existing road bridge together with footpath and on-road cycle lane.
Modify existing bridge to one-way traffic flow southbound. Remove existing footpath on western side of bridge to provide for right turning movements and provision of on road cycle lane on eastern side of bridge.
Construction of 260m of 4m wide looped on ramp to the N3 eastbound from the new bridge.
Widening of the Blanchardstown Road North, Blanchardstown Road South and Old Navan Road on approach to the interchange, and widening of the N3 westbound on/off ramps.
Extension of existing bus lanes on Blanchardstown Road North and Blanchardstown Road South to the proposed signalised junction.
Provision of on-road cycle lane together with pedestrian footpath and grass verge on both sides of the Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown Road North and Blanchardstown Road South.
Relocation of the N3 off-ramp from Navan/Cavan to the Old Navan Road approximately 48m northwest of existing T-junction. The new junction to be signalised.
Relocation of the on-ramp from the Old Navan Road to the N3 approximately 150m southeast of existing junction.
Replace existing interchange roundabouts with signalised junctions incorporating advanced signaling for buses.
Provision of all watermains, sewers, drainage and utility infrastructure, public lighting, signage, road lining and landscaping associated with the above works.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development as shown on the Public Display Drawings are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy thereof from Thursday 10th March, 2011 to Tuesday 3rd May,2011 as follows:
Fingal County Council, Monday – Friday 9.30a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Grove Road, (open through lunch)
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.
spacetweek
Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 21:38
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by spacetweek »

Oh, this is great news! Long, long overdue.
I used to work in the area in 2003, even back then long tailbacks were normal even outside rush hour.
I maintain a site on Irish Motorways:
http://www.irishmotorwayinfo.com
User avatar
bothar
Member
Posts: 4805
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 22:50
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by bothar »

This should be of some good benefit to commuters but the M1 really needs to be widened far further out - as far as North of Balbriggan IMO
Proposal to extend to Lissenhall (J4) and junction redesign there.

Notice:
M1 Jct 3 to Jct 4

Map:
M1 Jct 3 to Jct 4
"I intend to always travel a different road"
Ibn Battuta 1304-1368
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

haha, nice. It's slow but it is progress 8-)
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

csd posted these pics of M1 windening over on boards.ie


[QUOTE=csd;76227321]Folks,

A short section of the M1 (between the airport exit at junction 2 and the Drynham exit J3) is being widened to 3x2 lanes. The northbound carriageway is substantially complete, so I took some photos today. We start on the M50 approaching the M1/M50 interchange (J3 of the M50, J1 of the M1).

1. One of the new VMSs on the M50 advertises the cheap weekend toll rate for the port tunnel.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

2. Approaching the interchange with the M1.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

3. We take the left lanes.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

4. This ramp dates from the original interchange, and was the only free-flow movement prior to the upgrades of 2009/10.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

5. Merge with the M1 mainline (north of the M50). Now there's three running lanes plus the diverge for the airport.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

6. Lane drop for the airport.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

7. New 3-lane section north of the airport.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

8. Approaching J3.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr

9. Lane drop after J3. There are now plans to extend the 3-lane section to the next junction.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr


10. Further north, sign gantries have been installed recently.
Image
Untitled by csd75, on Flickr[/QUOTE]
Trebeck
Member
Posts: 2768
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 23:09

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Trebeck »

Cracking photos there.

Impressed by the VMS. Is it a high resolution matrix or just a static logo that can be lit?
The roundness of the € symbol and the 3 suggest the former.

I'm surprised that M50 -> M1 Northbound has 1 lane, yet the N32 to Malahide (which effectively is now the only destination that this lane drop will use as the others are free flow) has 2. Surely M50 -> M1 Northbound would be a priority? (Along with Port Tunnel / N1 City Centre).
I would have mapped the lanes 2 - 2 - 1. Was Malahide given 2 lanes to prevent HGVs from having to use the rightmost lane?
Cian
Member
Posts: 534
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:15

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Cian »

Extremely high res and at least bi- if not tri-coloured (yellow, red and possibly white).

A surprising amount of traffic goes to the N32, and a second lane for M50-M1N does open up.
carawaystick
Member
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 22:19
Location: North County Dublin

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by carawaystick »

Trebeck wrote: I'm surprised that M50 -> M1 Northbound has 1 lane, yet the N32 to Malahide (which effectively is now the only destination that this lane drop will use as the others are free flow) has 2. Surely M50 -> M1 Northbound would be a priority? (Along with Port Tunnel / N1 City Centre).
I would have mapped the lanes 2 - 2 - 1. Was Malahide given 2 lanes to prevent HGVs from having to use the rightmost lane?
I guess, the N32 got two lanes to allow potential queueing, it widens to 3 lanes at the traffic light controlled roundabout, which was the old junction.
If the speed limit's 80 or less here, anyone can drive in the right hand lane.

There was a lot of talk on boards.ie at the final construction phase that it should have been 2-2-1, but (not being a daily user or anything) it seems to work ok, it is sort of self policing traffic calming, ensuring traffic for the M50-M1N slows down for the diverge.

One thing about the N32, it doesn't go to Malahide, it finishes at a cross roads with the "Malahide road" in an area known by many names, ClareHall, Balgriffin, Belcamp, and straight through the cross roads leads to Baldoyle, an actual established village. The signage isn't so misleading from the M50clockwise if you wanted to go to Malahide that's probably the way to go; but on the M1S approaching this junction it's also signed Malahide, but 3 junctions before is also signed for Malahide; 2 junctions before has local access to Malahide before entering the M1, the junction before is the Airport, I wouldn't head south from the airport to the M1 to get to Malahide, which is north of the airport...
The signs are plenty big for another or better destination(s)

Some real time traffic info is now live on the vms, but I think it overestimates the times and it gives a 3 minute spread (on a 7 min average time....)
User avatar
Truvelo
Member
Posts: 17456
Joined: Wed May 29, 2002 21:10
Location: Staffordshire
Contact:

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Truvelo »

In the last picture the new gantry appears to have room for an extra lane so presumably the M1 north of the M50 will be widened to D3M in the future.
How would you like your grade separations, Sir?
Big and complex.
Trebeck
Member
Posts: 2768
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 23:09

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by Trebeck »

Thanks carawaystick, interesting to see others of the same opinion re: 2-2-1, but if it works and is freeflow, it is a hell of a lot better than the Northern M1 / A1 turnoff :shock:

The N32 signed for Malahide is a bit strange. It leads the Malahide Road so gets there in a roundabout way. A bit like the Westlink turnoff for Glengormley, when everyone knows to continue to the M2 and turn off at Sandyknowes.

Only time I properly used the N32 was to get to the industrial estate at the Grange during a summer job about 10 years ago.
Did seem a busy road off the roundabout. Had the bus lane back then.
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

odlum wrote:Details of proposed interchange upgrade on the N3 at Mulhuddart just outside the M50

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Files/Roads/09016200.pdf


Comhairle Contae Fhine Gall
Fingal County Council
Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2006
Part VIII Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – 2006
N3 Mulhuddart Interchange Upgrade
Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of the proposed construction by Fingal County Council of the above Scheme.
The proposed works comprise:-
Construction of a new 2-span bridge on the western side of the existing road bridge together with footpath and on-road cycle lane.
Modify existing bridge to one-way traffic flow southbound. Remove existing footpath on western side of bridge to provide for right turning movements and provision of on road cycle lane on eastern side of bridge.
Construction of 260m of 4m wide looped on ramp to the N3 eastbound from the new bridge.
Widening of the Blanchardstown Road North, Blanchardstown Road South and Old Navan Road on approach to the interchange, and widening of the N3 westbound on/off ramps.
Extension of existing bus lanes on Blanchardstown Road North and Blanchardstown Road South to the proposed signalised junction.
Provision of on-road cycle lane together with pedestrian footpath and grass verge on both sides of the Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown Road North and Blanchardstown Road South.
Relocation of the N3 off-ramp from Navan/Cavan to the Old Navan Road approximately 48m northwest of existing T-junction. The new junction to be signalised.
Relocation of the on-ramp from the Old Navan Road to the N3 approximately 150m southeast of existing junction.
Replace existing interchange roundabouts with signalised junctions incorporating advanced signaling for buses.
Provision of all watermains, sewers, drainage and utility infrastructure, public lighting, signage, road lining and landscaping associated with the above works.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development as shown on the Public Display Drawings are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy thereof from Thursday 10th March, 2011 to Tuesday 3rd May,2011 as follows:
Fingal County Council, Monday – Friday 9.30a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Grove Road, (open through lunch)
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.

Seems to be a good bit of construction going on now to upgrade this interchange

Pics here from jonosan, boards.ie

http://s1154.photobucket.com/user/jonos ... t=9&page=1
User avatar
bothar
Member
Posts: 4805
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 22:50
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by bothar »

Discussion document on demand management on M50.
http://www.nra.ie/News/RepositoryforPre ... 497,en.pdf
"I intend to always travel a different road"
Ibn Battuta 1304-1368
odlum
Member
Posts: 1737
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:07
Location: Ireland

Re: IRL: M50 updates

Post by odlum »

by 2023 many sections would have traffic flows in excess of 200,000 vehicles per day
That's a lot of vehicles.
Post Reply