N59 Crossmolina - Ballina Road Project
Length of Project: 12km
Carriageway Type: Reduced Single Carriageway (Diagram)
Current Status of Project: Phase 3 - Route Selection
This Project is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 and part financed by the European Union
Introduction:
In July 1998 the NRA published the NRA National Road Needs Study. The N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project was identified as needing improvement as a backlog project and that the road should be a reduced 2-lane cross section. The current Mayo County Development Plan 2003-2009 has stated in its transportation policy its objective to complete the improvements to the national routes and to continue to improve these routes as finance permits. The improvements proposed within the N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project are consistent with this policy. The Ireland National Development Plan 2007-2013 is a Government policy to provide a high quality of service on the national road network and the improvements proposed within the N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project are consistent with this policy. The National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 recognizes the need to provide good quality road and public transport connections between Dublin, Galway, Mayo and Sligo and identifies 2 strategic radial corridors and 1 strategic linking corridor within County Mayo. These corridors will assist in promoting development within the West Region between the Gateways of Galway, Sligo and Athlone and the linked Hub of Castlebar and Ballina. The proposed N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project is a fundamental element of this strategy. Transport 21 is a government sponsored policy which seeks to provide an integrated solution to Ireland's current and evolving transport needs that will underpin the country's competitiveness, promote balanced regional growth and enhance the quality of life for generations to come. It has identified a number of national routes for development and includes the N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project.
The N59 between Crossmolina and Ballina is approximately 8.4km long when measured between both towns' speed limit restrictions. Its horizontal alignment is quite satisfactory with approximately 70% of its length being a combination of two straights (2.5km and 3.5km ) connected by a sharp bend of 100m curvature. The remaining 2.5km section approaching Ballina has a fairly satisfactory horizontal alignment and again is a combination of two straights. In general, the vertical alignment is fairly satisfactory but there are several locations where the gradient of the road compromises visibility and this is especially apparent on the 2.5km section approaching Ballina. There are approximately 20 at-grade junctions of varying importance gaining access onto the N59 and combined with the existence of approximately 80 individual house accesses also gaining direct access there are limited overtaking opportunities along the road and this is characterised by the presence of continuous white lining over much of its length. The road has no hardshoulder along the majority of its alignment and it has no right-turning provisions while its average width is approximately 7m. By amalgamating the above road particulars it is evident that the existing road is experiencing problems in catering safely and efficiently for the existing traffic needs of the region and platooning of vehicles is a common occurrence. Undoubtedly, current traffic trends which will realize an increase in traffic along the route will further aggravate this problem and diminish the effectiveness and safety of the road.
The objective of the N59 Crossmolina-Ballina Road Project is to provide a new route that is a justifiable solution to the existing and future needs of road users from a local, regional and national perspective having regard for the future road planning aspirations of both towns.Progress to Date:
Project Planning (Phase 1 to Phase 3)
In accordance with the requirements of the NRA National Roads Project Management Guidelines, Phase 1-Initial Project Planning the need for the project was agreed between Mayo County Council and the National Roads Authority.
Having established the need for the project, Phase 2-Constraints Study commenced in July 2005 when a Study Area was identified and information was gathered in relation to the various constraints that exist within this area which could affect the design and location of the project. A Constraints Study brochure with questionnaire was made available for public perusal and a closing date for the return of the questionnaire was September 2005.
Having identified the various constraints located within the Study Area, Phase 3-Route Corridor Selection of the process commenced when viable route option corridors were selected. A public presentation of the various route option corridors was held in June 2006 and the public were invited to attend, provided with a Route Option Corridor brochure and questionnaire and invited to assist in selecting the emerging preferred route by completing the accompanying questionnaire. The public were also encouraged to submit written submissions to supplement their views expressed in the questionnaire, if they wished to do so. Each of the Route Options were assessed from an Engineering, Economic, Human and Environmental perspective and the Emerging Preferred Route was presented to the public in July 2008 as part of a public consultation process. The public reaction to the project was assessed while the project undertook a further project appraisal and National Roads Authority review process. Consequently, the Preferred Route has been selected and it is anticipated that the route will be brought before the Council at the February or March 2010 Meeting.However, if the Preferred Route is adopted, any planning applications located on any of the other route options, that were previously deferred, will be released to progress through the planning process.
The proposed route can be viewed at Crossmolina Library, Ballina Civic Offices or the Mayo National Roads Design Office, Castlebar. A map of the proposed route can be viewed on this webpage. Please scroll down for this link.
Contact Information:
Paul Hyland, Project Engineer,
Mayo National Roads Design Office,
Mayo County Council,
Glenparke House,
The Mall, Castlebar, County Mayo.Phone: (094) 9047623; Fax: 094 9034525. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Publications:
Information Brochures:
Information leaflets/brochures and questionnaires are issued periodically to inform the public on the progress of the project and to assist us in assessing the public reaction to the project. Click on any of the following to view the file!Map of Preferred Route pdf format or in jpeg format
Map1: Fotish, Lecarrow, Crossmolina, Abbeytown, Glebe.
Map2: Abbeytown, Glebe, Gortskeddia, Knockglass, Garraunard, Knockadangan, Knockagarravaun.
Map 3: Knockagarravaun, Deelcastle.
Map 4: Deelcastle, Ballymanagh, Knockanillaun, Slievenagark, Cloonclasney.
Map 5: Slievenagark, Cloonclasney, Tullyegan, Gortatogher, Farrandeelion.
Map 6: Tullyegan, Gortatogher, Farrandeelion.
Proposed Changes at Slievenagark
Emerging Preferred Route Brochure - pdf
Constraints Study Brochure
Route Options BrochureReports:
Reports are prepared at various stages of the project in accordance with the requirements of the NRA National Roads Project Management Guidelines.The text of the reports may be downloaded here. Please note that the following Pdf files may not include all of the appendices, maps and diagrams contained in the published version in order to reduce the file size for downloading.Constraints Study Report
Other Relevant Information:
If you have an interest in other aspects of road planning or construction click here to view some of the publications contained within this website. Alternatively, you can visit the National Roads Authority Website at www.nra.ie to view their comprehensive library of publications.
Archaeology:
During the planning and preliminary design stage (Phase 1 to Phase 4) of the project, no on-site intrusive archaeological investigations take place. This occurs during the construction stage of the project (Phase 5 to Phase 7) and generally occurs in advance of the main construction contract. However, a combination of desk-top and non-destructive field assessments of known archaeological sites occur during Phase 1 to Phase 4. If you wish to view this information, please refer to the Constraints Study Report, the Route Selection Report and the Environmental Impact Statement, where appropriate.
