Bypass works motoring ahead with early completion likely
THE €250m New Ross Bypass could open bext year.
This is the view of New Ross Municipal District Director Eamonn Hore who told councillors that work is progressing at pace on the motorway.
The bypass will comprise a 14km dual carriageway road including new sections of both the N25 and N30 National Primary Routes. The bypass commences at a roundabout junction with the existing N25 at Glenmore, before crossing over the River Barrow on a three tower extrados bridge extending for approximately 900 metres from Pink Point in County Kilkenny to Stokestown and continuing until it ties in with the N30 at Corcorans Cross.
Earthworks operations are ongoing between Glenmore and Ballymacar, including rock blasting at Stokestown and Camblin, the meeting heard. It is expected there will be two blasting sessions every week in both cuts for the coming weeks. Site clearance works are substantially complete from Ballymacar to Corcoran’s Cross and earthworks will intensify along this section over the coming months.
Meanwhile foundations for all piers and abutments on the Barrow Bridge are either complete or well progressed and works on bridge pier lifts up to bridge deck level will be progressed in the coming months for all eight piers.
The bridge deck for the R733 Campile road underbridge has been poured and finishing works will continue. Works are also progressing on the Stokestown road underbridge and the Ballymacar road underbridge, and preparatory works have commenced on Camblin road overbridge, Creacon road underbridge and Arnestown road overbridge.
Works are also progressing on a large number of farm underpasses and watercourse culverts.
Mr Hore said: ‘ They (BAM) will never admit that they will open ahead of quarter one in 2019, but the foundations and the piers are in place for the bridge so it won’t be too long before you see all of the bridge appearing.’
Councillors were informed that significant temporary traffic management operations and 60 k/mh speed limits will come into effect to facilitate the construction of roundabouts at Ballymacar and Glenmore, beginning in late May or early June and lasting through the summer. Information signs will be erected. The works at Ballymacar will also require a temporary diversion of the N25 around the site of the roundabout and a four week temporary closure of the L-8056 local road.
Cllr Fidelis Doherty said the bridge will have a strong visual impact, adding that there will also be a significant impact on traffic at Jamestown where a roundabout will be built. She said residents need to be made aware of this.
Cllr Doherty complimented officials in New Ross for improving the traffic flow through the town by preventing drivers from turning right onto Quay Street at O’Hanrahan Bridge.
New Ross cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Whelan asked if the local contractors and businesses benefitting from the bypass can be named in a list for the council’s next meeting in September.
Mr Hore said: ‘It has generated a good bit of local employment. They are using as many local contractors as possible.’
Kilkenny Cllr Tomás Breathnach said the bridge will be a huge attraction, adding that viewing areas should be made available.
‘We should anticipate beyond the construction of the bridge and see its potential for tourism. We should be conscious of it now and not come back in three years time and think why didn’t we do anything about this.’
Mr Hore said the bridge will cost around €90m to complete. ‘ The Stokestown area might be a bit difficult but there could be a properly designated pull in area on both sides (of the river) so people can pull in and enjoy looking at it.’
Cllr Fidelis Doherty said an overpass on the route will fit in perfectly with the greenway plans.
Cllr Oisin O’Connell asked if new signage will be erected to highlight tourism attractions.
Mr Hore said there will be extensive signage both along the bypass and on inner connecting roads, highlighting places like Woodstock Gardens and tourist attractions in south west Wexford.