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 2016 Newsletter. The summer months have been a case of continuing to make good progress on the Project thus remaining on the completion target which, as noted previously, is in early 2018. There is no phased opening i.e. the entire route opens to traffic at the same time and the works throughout the project are scheduled out with this in mind. There are over 820 people currently working on the Project and in excess of 2.2m working hours have been clocked up to date. The earthworks cut and fill operations are approximately 94% complete at the time of writing. Pavement works are progressing significantly in all areas. Work on the main structures along the project route also remains on schedule. Almost all structures have commenced construction at this stage with 35 no. already substantially complete, and another 5 no. are nearing completion. During the period some additional side roads have been opened to the public, including the new alignments at the L-4501 Rinn Road, L-3103 Castlelambert Road, L-3106 at Laraghmore and the M18 Kilternan overbridge. The new permanent road arrangement around the Annagh Hill interchange is complete. Some of these roads will remain under temporary traffic management for a further period while certain works including final tie-in arrangements are completed. We request that all motorists be vigilant, familiarise themselves with the new layouts and obey all road signage and speed limits at these locations. We continue to update our website with relevant project information and are adding overhead photographs on a monthly basis to demonstrate the ongoing progress of the scheme. Please check the website regularly for these updates, including community engagement, and additions to the photo gallery.

Pavement Works N17

Rathmorrissy Interchange 1

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

Site Location

Work Period

Operation

Plant & Equipment

Entire Project

Ongoing

Main Earthworks – the cut & fill works across the project will remain ongoing. Rock blasting is complete in all areas except as noted on the schedule on page 4. Side road construction will continue.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Ongoing

Utility Diversions– Utilities including water, gas & electricity as well as phone & internet lines continue to be diverted as & where required ahead of major construction works.

Construction plant, jeeps

Entire Project

Ongoing

Drainage– Construction of mainline drainage networks shall continue across the project.

Construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Ongoing

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

Construction plant, jeeps

See attached schedule plus updates regularly on the website

Ongoing

Drilling and Blasting – Drilling and blasting of rock shall continue in these areas to allow the rock to be excavated to the required level for the new road.

Construction plant, drilling & explosive equipment, trucks, jeeps

Various Locations Across the Project

Ongoing

Structures – Works shall continue on the bridges already commenced & shall start on a number of new structures. Construction of new under bridges, over bridges & underpasses across the project. Works shall include piling works, concrete works, installation of precast concrete beams, localised drainage & earthworks, surfacing works, etc.

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

Entire Project

Ongoing

Landscaping – In sections where earthworks are substantially complete topsoil is being placed to allow planting and grass seeding to commence.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Ongoing

Safety and Environmental Barriers – shall be installed in areas where earthworks are sufficiently progressed.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

Entire Project

Ongoing

Pavement – the pavement works, including CBGM layer, will continue in all sections on mainline and side roads.

Heavy construction plant, trucks, jeeps

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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TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Some local road diversions remain in place across the scheme. These temporary diversions or road realignments allow two way traffic to be maintained as far as possible while works to construct bridges are progressed thereby minimising disruption to road users. DirectRoute requests that all road users be vigilant and observe all signage and reduced speed limits to help ensure the safety of all. Reduced speed limits have been implemented in specific sections of road following consultation with Galway County Council, An Garda Siochana and TII (formerly NRA) and have been implemented to ensure the safety of the public road users as well as construction personnel. Examples include the M6 at the location of the Rathmorrissy interchange (reduced locally to 80 kph), and the N18 at Kiltiernan (reduced locally to 60 kph). 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. Existing traffic management arrangements associated with the works taking place at Kilskeagh, Sheeaunpark Road and Killeelaun can be seen on the DirectRoute website. Traffic has been diverted onto the new permanent alignment of the N18 at Kiltiernan under restricted temporary traffic management. Traffic lights will be used on a part time basis as required for completion of the tie-in works. The use of traffic lights will be restricted to between 09.30 and 16.00 hours and the tie-in works will take place during the 3-month period of September to November 2016. There is a reduced speed limit of 60kph in force for a 1 km length on both approaches to the new Kiltiernan junction on the N18 for the duration of the completion of the works. We would ask that all motorists familiarise themselves with the new layout and observe the speed limit. On the Tuam Bypass, works on the existing N17 in the vicinity of the new Mountpotter roundabout are now complete and Burke Road roundabout works remain ongoing. The following roads have been completed and opened to traffic, the L-2123 and L-2130 at Corofin and the L-6110 at Kilcloghan. The L-6141 Killeelaun Road will be re-opened to traffic in Q3. There are further road closures (full, partial or under traffic management) required to complete tie–in works for newly constructed overbridges. Roads affected include the R446 (Old Dublin Road), L4506 (Owenbristy), L4506 (Raheen Demense), L4502 (Turloughtrassa), L8591 (Raheen Kilkelly), L8565 (Carnavoodaun), L8581 (Parknacappul), L4506 (Parkatleva) and L4518 (Ballymaquiff). Further information will be made available on the project website once these closures are confirmed and within upcoming newsletters. In all cases we request that you observe local signage and/or consult the project website for more information including traffic management updates and drawings of diversion routes where applicable.

Dunkellin River Bridge

Works adjacent to the Clare River

Annagh Hill Interchange with M17 3

DRILLING AND BLASTING SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 2016 DirectRoute wishes to advise of the upcoming drilling and blasting operations schedule up to the end of August 2016 as shown in the table below. The dates are provisional depending upon site conditions and project scheduling so exact dates and times are subject to change and such notices are posted locally in advance of the works taking place. We will endeavour to post updates on the website when they are received and will do so for further updates beyond the end of August 2016.

Date (Provisional)

Location (Townland)

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Cartymore and Gortroe

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DirectRoute was delighted to be able to make a small contribution to the Galway Parkinsons Association recently. The charity is a very worthy cause and are a voluntary group which consists of people with Parkinsons disease, their family members and carers. The Association aims to provide practical support and information to people affected by Parkinsons. Any assistance or donations they receive are warmly welcomed and greatly needed and go directly to providing their much needed services. Contact details are available on our website.

Presentation to Galway Parkinsons Association. L-R Declan Carney (DR), Caitríona Thornton (on behalf of Séan Thornton, Lagan), Marie Cahill (Galway Parkinsons Association) and Seamus Sorohan (Lagan).

SAFETY NOTICE The N17 N18 project is now well into its second year of construction and DirectRoute thanks our neighbours and the general public for its ongoing co-operation in helping to ensure that the project is constructed as safely as possible for everyone. Construction activity by its nature exposes people to a higher level of risk than many other activities and it is important that we all continue to be vigilant. DirectRoute have detailed arrangements in place to manage the risks for both those involved in building the project and for the general public. You can help us in particular by:1. Taking particular care at all the site entrances and various locations where the project crosses the existing road network. Please comply with any restrictions imposed under local temporary traffic management arrangements including any reduced speed limits and please bear in mind the increased braking distances that may be required in winter conditions. 2. Keep clear of site even when there is no work being done. Parents & Guardians are particularly asked to try & ensure that their children understand this message. 4