DIRECTROUTE (TUAM) LTD N17/N18 GORT TO TUAM PROJECT OFFICE CARTYMORE ATHENRY

DirectRoute (Tuam) Ltd Newsletter N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme Q 3

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N17/N18 Project Update Welcome to our Q3 2017 Newsletter. Since our Q2 newsletter we have made further good progress on the project and we remain confident that the motorway and the Tuam bypass will be open to traffic before the end of 2017. There are over 400 people currently working on the Project and in excess of 3.50m working hours have been clocked up to the end of June.

ensure that the construction of the works is carried out in accordance with the Contract Requirements. During the construction stage, Jacobs has provided a 22 person site monitoring team across the scheme geographical sections (North/Centre/South) to mirror the DirectRoute construction organisation. A close working relationship has been developed between the PPP Co, TII, Jacobs and Galway County Council to promote effective collaboThe work on the project continues to progress ration between the Project Team with a view well in all areas. Bulk earthworks, drainage to successfully delivering this critical section of works and all of the principal structures along infrastructure for the West on time and within the project route are essentially complete. Pavebudget. ment works are well underway throughout the scheme and a high percentage of all layers inThe collaboration of the Project Team is best cluding wearing course have been completed to demonstrated by the establishment of the Site date. Safety Forum on this Project, a first for infrastructure projects in Ireland. This quarterly In our previous newsletter we highlighted the meeting event is attended by TII, Galway role played by the GCC liaison team on the County Council, DirectRoute, Jacobs and workProject. In this newsletter we further emphasise er safety representatives with one goal in the teamwork involved in successfully commind – the prioritisation of employee and pleting a project of this nature by outlining public safety and welfare. This forum has led the role played by Jacobs Engineering on to continuous improvement of the safety culbehalf of our mutual client. Transport ture on the Project. Jacobs is proud to be part Infrastructure Ireland (TII) commissioned of this significant national infrastructure proJacobs to undertake the monitoring and ject and wishes to acknowledge the profescontract administration on their behalf for sional commitment of all involved ‘Going that the design and construction activities extra mile safely’. associated with the scheme with a view to

Kiltiernan Interchange 1

The Great Western Motorway Cycle DirectRoute, in partnership with Tuam and Gort Lions Clubs and Tuam Cycling Club, has officially launched the Great Western Motorway Cycle which will take place on the new motorway on Sunday 10th September. The event, which is open to all abilities, will provide a unique opportunity for cyclists to travel on the route before the road is opened to vehicular traffic. The cycle will consist of two routes: Route 1 is a 100km loop from Tuam to Gort to Tuam and Route 2 is a 50km loop from Tuam to Rathmorrissy Interchange on the M6 to Tuam. The registration fee will benefit the Lions Clubs in their charitable work in the local community. We would also encourage participants to use their involvement by fundraising for their own chosen charities. You can register now at www.iregister.ie/greatwesterncycle There is also further information made available on a dedicated facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheGreat-Western-Motorway-Cycle-837385573079370/ Any queries about the cycle can be emailed to [email protected].

THREE MONTH LOOK AHEAD The main works to be undertaken in the next three months are described in the table below.

Site Location

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Operation

Plant & Equipment

Entire Project

Earthworks & Drainage—complete apart from finishing works which are ongoing throughout the site.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Utility Diversions are 97% complete —Utilities continue to be diverted as & where required.

Construction plant, jeeps

Entire Project

Accommodation Works—Installation of or adjustment to private Construction plant, jeeps gates, entrances, boundaries or other features belonging to private individuals which are affected by the construction of the new road.

Various Locations Across the Project

Structures— Finishing works to structures and erection of gantries.

Construction plant, trucks, jeeps, cranes, concrete trucks & pumps

Entire Project

Landscaping – most of the landscape planting has been completed – maintenance is ongoing.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Safety and Environmental Barriers - Installation shall continue in Heavy construction plant, trucks, all areas. jeeps

Entire Project

Pavement – wearing course application is ongoing - installation of line markings and road studs is ongoing, following the completion of the wearing course.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Signage – Advanced directional signs and regulatory/warning signage continuing in all areas.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT All local road diversions have been completed. Some finishing works are ongoing. During Q2 additional side roads have been opened to traffic on their new alignments. These include the new alignments at the L-4516 Ballymaquiff, L-85312 Coole Demesne and L-8581 Parknacappul. Some of these roads may remain under temporary traffic management for a further period while certain works including final tie-in arrangements are completed. The footbridge at Annagh Hill has also been opened for use in the period.

Annagh Hill Footbridge

Kilmore Roundabout on the N17 at Tuam

On the Tuam Bypass, works continue on the existing N17 and are expected to be generally complete in these locations around the end of July. A traffic management plan has been put in place to facilitate the construction of the Burke Roundabout at the junction of the N83/N17 north of Tuam. During the works traffic will be reduced to one lane during daytime hours between the Mountpotter Roundabout and the Burke Road Roundabout (N83 Junction). Road users are asked to use alternative routes if possible and are asked to use caution if they are travelling through the works area. Traffic management signage to alert public road users has been and will continue to be erected throughout the scheme where construction works interact with the existing road network and these arrangements can also be seen on the DirectRoute website including details of diversion routes where such are required. The new Kemsella Road Junction is now in operation at Kiltiernan. The reinstatement of the roundabout at kiltiernan is still ongoing. A stop and go system will be in operation to allow the works to be completed. Resurfacing of the existing N18 north of Kiltiernan will commence in mid August and traffic management plan s will bein place to complete these works.

Tuam Cancer Care Walk th

On the 14 May we facilitated a charity run/walk on the Tuam Bypass in aid of Tuam Cancer Care. The event was a great success, attended by nearly a thousand people and it raised approximately €10,000 for the charity through generous donations by the participants. Tuam Cancer Care depend upon fundraising and donations to cover over 90% of its costs. The centre, which is based on the Dunmore Road in Tuam, provides a range of services for cancer patients.

Charity event on the Tuam Bypass for Tuam Cancer Care 3

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DirectRoute recently made donations to Cancer Care West and the Jack and Jill Foundation, arising from the Health and Safety incentive scheme run on the M17/18 motorway project. Cancer Care West is committed to providing the best support to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis in a safe, nurturing and accessible environment. Cancer Care West provides its services to its residents in accompaniment to medical treatment through the provision of accommodation in Inis Aoibhinn Lodge and support services in the Cancer Support Centre. The Jack & Jill Foundation was set up in 1997 and provides nursing care & support for children with severe neurological development issues, as well as offering some respite to the parents and families of the sick children and end of life care.

L-R: Seamus Sorohan (Lagan Construction), Paul Walsh (Lagan Construction), Rachel Dooley (Cancer Care West), Nadine Monaghan (DirectRoute), Gary Kennedy (Lagan Construction).

L-R: Emer O’Brien (DirectRoute), Hugo Jellett, C.E.O. (Jack & Jill Foundation).

SAFETY NOTICE DirectRoute really appreciate the ongoing co-operation being shown by our neighbours and the general public in helping to ensure that the project is constructed as safely as possible for everyone. Construction activity by its very nature exposes people to a higher level of risk than many other activities and construction sites are relatively dangerous places. It is important that we all continue to be vigilant. We have asked people in previous newsletters to keep clear of the construction site and we have particularly asked parents and guardians to help ensure their children understand the importance of and comply with this especially now that we are in school holiday season. As the works progress and as sections of the project near completion, it is easy to assume that the dangers are passed. We are seeing people use the new motorway route as a walking route. There are however many hazards and bits of incomplete work remaining which mean that these areas are not safe and we would ask that you continue to stay away from the construction site. We also ask that you continue to exercise extreme caution when travelling on the public road in the few remaining areas where it interfaces with any roadworks.

24 Hour Emergency Phone: 091-777000

Project Contact Details Email: [email protected]

Web: www.directroutegorttotuam.ie

We continue to update our website with relevant project information & are adding overhead photographs on a monthly basis to demonstrate the ongoing progress of the works. Please check the website regularly for these updates .

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