Road Transportation and Safety

National Primary, Secondary, Regional and Local Road – Maintenance and Improvement and Support to Roads Capital Programme

A total of over €15.71 million was expended on the maintenance and upgrade of the public road network in County Sligo in 2010. Work has also progressed on the planning, design and construction of key strategic national and non national road projects serving County Sligo and Sligo City - the Gateway City of the North West. The National Roads Authority and the Department of Transport Non-National Roads Division, in addition to Sligo County Council, were the key funding agencies for this programme.

A total of €169,000 was also expended on the upgrade of non-public roads under the Local Improvement Scheme of works in 2010.

The Council’s road network in County Sligo is summarised as follows (excluding Borough Urban Roads):

ROUTE	LENGTH KM	% OF TOTAL
National Primary	105.84	3.9
National Secondary	47.38	1.8
Regional	238.88	8.8
Local	2,302.90	85.5
Total	2,695km	100%

 
The tables below show the details of the National and Regional Roads in Sligo.

ROUTE	DESCRIPTION	LENGTH
N4	Sligo City to Roscommon County Boundary	34.35km
N15	Sligo City to Bunduff Br.	27.04km
N16	Sligo City to Leitrim County Boundary	10.39km
N17	Collooney to Bellahy	34.06km
	Total	105.84km

 

ROUTE	DESCRIPTION	LENGTH
N59	Ballysadare to Mayo County Boundary	47.38km

 

ROUTE	DESCRIPTION	LENGTH
R277	Killaspugbrone to SligoAirport	1.7km
R278	Sligo to Carrickoneilleen	7.63km
R279	Cliffoney to Mullaghmore	4.4km
R284	Carrowroe to Roscommon County Boundary	26.6km
R286	Sligo City to Leitrim County Boundary	11.2km
R287	Sligo City to Leitrim County Boundary via Carrowroe	15.89km
R290	Ballysadare to Ballintogher	14.63km
R291	Sligo City to Rosses Point	7.83 km
R292	Sligo City to Strandhill to Ballydrehid	18.56km
R293	Ballinaboll to Gurteen to Roscommon County Boundary	25.8km
R294	Cloonloo to Tubbercurry to Lough Talt	42.5km
R295	Ballymote to Keash to Roscommon County Boundary	14.6km
R296	Ballymote to Bunnannaddan to R294	10.2km
R297	Dromore West to Enniscrone to County Boundary	29.8km
R298	N59 to Lacknatlieva to R297	4.9km
R361	Roscommon County Boundary to Killaraght to Roscommon County	1.6km
R870	Sligo City - Pearse Road / Markievicz Road	1.37km
	Total	239.21km

Local Roads are Categorised into Local Primary, Secondary or Tertiary and are summarised as follows:

CLASS	LENGTH KM	%OF TOTAL
Primary	581.8	25.3
Secondary	932	40.5
Tertiary	789.1	34.2
Total	2,302.9km	100%

National Roads

A total of €5,123.601 was allocated in 2010 by the National Roads Authority towards the maintenance and improvement of the 153.2 km of national road network in County Sligo. 

The grants were increased for some schemes during the year and the total grants received from the NRA amounted to €5,729,697.

National Roads Pavement Overlays

The following pavement and improvement works were undertaken by the Road Design Department of Sligo County Council in 2010 with grants allocated by the National Roads Authority.

 N15 Pavement Overlay Contract – Cliffoney

This project consisted of the overlay and resurfacing of 1.47 km of the N15 National Primary north of Cliffoney. The project was completed with a final 2010 expenditure cost of €322,564.75. The works included the regulating of the existing road surface with bituminous material, provision of geogrid in required locations, placing of AC 20 dense binder course and Cl942 surfacing course. In addition the project included plaining out at tie-ins, side roads, raising of verges, adjustment of ironwork, accommodation works, road lining and traffic management. The total area of pavement included was approximately 8681 sq. metres.

N59 Pavement Overlay Contract – Glebe

This project consisted of the overlay and resurfacing of 1.5 km of the Road N59 National Secondary Road at Glebe. The project cost €398,134.34. The works included the regulating of the existing road surface with bituminous material, provision of geogrid in required locations, placing of AC 20 dense binder course and HRA surfacing course. The project also included plaining out at tie-ins, side roads, raising of verges, adjustment of ironwork, accommodation works, road lining and traffic management. The total area of pavement included was approximately 11736 sq. metres.

N59 Pavement Overlay Contract – Beltra

This project consisted of the overlay and resurfacing of 2.2 km of the Road N59 National Secondary Road at Beltra. The project cost €517,684.19. The works included the regulating of the existing road surface with bituminous material, provision of geogrid in required locations, placing of AC 20 dense binder course, Cl942 surfacing course and HRA surfacing course. In addition, the project included plaining out at tie-ins, side roads, raising of verges, adjustment of ironwork, accommodation works, road lining and traffic management. The total area of pavement included was approximately 16254 sq. metres.

N4 and N17 Pavement Surfacing Repairs Contract 

This project consisted of pavement repair works at four separate site locations at N4 Lackagh, N4 Drumderry, N17 Cloonacurra and the N17 Carrowreilly. The overall contract consisted of the following:

• 4582 sq metres of 14 mm single surface dressing
• 856 sq metres of HRA Surfacing (40mm thick)
• 1712 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (55 mm thick)
• 6773 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (75 mm thick)
• 4228 sq metres of geogrid
• 4228 sq metres of plaining
• Road Marking & Studs
• Traffic Management

The project cost was €183,289.36.

N15 and N16 Pavement Surfacing Repairs Contract

This project consisted of pavement repair works at six separate site locations at N15 Sligo Borough, N15 Rathcormack, N15 Drumcliff, N16 Duck Street roundabout, N16 Ballytivnan and the N16 Lugnagall. The overall completed contract consisted of the following: 

• 10129 sq metres of HRA Surfacing (40 mm thick)
• 7633 sq metres of Cl942 Surfacing (40 mm thick)
• 26934 sq metres of AC 20 dense bindercourse (55 mm thick)
• Tack Coat
• 10405 sq metres of geogrid
• 17749 sq metres of plaining
• Raising of Ironwork
• Road Marking and Studs
• Traffic Management

The project cost was €540,447.13.

N59 Pavement Surfacing Repairs Contract

This project consisted of pavement repair works at seven separate site locations on the N59 National Secondary Road at Carraun, Culleens, Owenbeg, Carrigans, Camcuill, Templeboy East and Caltragh. The overall completed contract consisted of the following:

• 7360 sq metres of 14 mm single surface dressing
• 6522 sq metres of HRA Surfacing (40 mm thick)
• 13044 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (55 mm thick)
• 220 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (60 mm thick)
• 8202 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (75 mm thick)
• 108 sq metres of 20 mm DBM Bindercourse (80 mm thick)
• 215 tonnes of 20 mm DBM regulating material
• 8179 sq metres of geogrid
• Road Marking & Studs
• Traffic Management

 The project cost was €472,231.26.

National Road Major Schemes

A total of €2,660,000 was allocated in 2010 to the planning and design of major national road schemes as follows:

Non-National Roads

A total of €9,819,699 was allocated by the Department of Transport Non-National Roads Division towards the maintenance and improvement of the non-national road network in County Sligo in 2010. A further €169,000 was allocated towards the improvement of non public roads under the Local Improvement Scheme Grant.

Restoration Maintenance Grant

The Restoration Maintenance Grant is used to protect the structural integrity of Non-National Roads by way of surface dressing. Most of the roads improved under this programme had to be shaped and strengthened with bitumen macadam/crushed stone before surface dressing them. There were five schemes on Regional Roads and 4.94km of road was improved. Twenty four schemes on Local Roads were carried out in 2010 and 24.01km of road was surfaced. The Grant was €1,685,000.

Restoration Improvement Grant

This grant was used for surface restoration and road re-construction on Non National Roads. The roads were strengthened/shaped with stone or bitumen macadam and drainage works were carried out as necessary. There were fourteen schemes carried out on Regional Roads and 13.525 km of road was improved. The Restoration Improvement Grant was €5,640,000.

Local Road Maintenance

The “own resource 2010 allocation” of Sligo County Council towards the general maintenance of the local road network was €600,000. This is used for pothole repairs, verge maintenance and general maintenance of Local Roads.

Non-National Road Specific Improvement Projects

A total grant of €838,000 was allocated by Department of Transport towards the following improvement projects in 2010 under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme.

Road Number	Location	Budget €
R284	Drumiskabole	470,000
R286	Ballinode	130,000

 

Bridge Improvements funded under Specific Improvement Grants.

Road Number	Bridge	Budget €
L3303-0	Doonowney	78,000
R287	Castleore	40,000
L7123	Rathfrash	52,000
L2605-0	Killanly	20,000
R287	Aghamore	48,000
	Total	838,000

 

All the above projects were completed in 2010. The works carried out included road realignment/strengthening, repair and replacement as necessary to bridges supporting public roads, taking cognisance of the built heritage of pertinent structures. 

Improvements works will continue on other projects in 2011 subject to ongoing Department of Transport funding. These projects help to improve access to the region, promote economic activity and improve road safety.

Discretionary Maintenance Grant

Sligo received a Discretionary Maintenance Allocation of €1,432,000 in 2010. This was allocated to miscellaneous improvements / maintenance of the non-national road network including enhancements to footpaths in towns and villages.

Improvements / Maintenance Works included:-

• Winter Maintenance.
• Improvements to the traffic route lighting network
• Improvement to road signage.
• Repairs to the bridge infrastructure.
• Miscellaneous road & drainage works and junction improvements.

Local Improvement Scheme

A grant of €169,000 was allocated towards the improvement of non-public roads by Department of Transport for this programme in 2010. A total of 8 improvement projects were undertaken.

Road Safety

Engineering Improvement / Safety Measures

€180,000 was allocated in 2010 by the Department of Transport under the low cost safety improvement scheme to undertake improvements at five number locations on the nonnational road network.

A grant of €150,000 was also allocated by the National Roads Authority towards road safety remedial measures at four locations on the National Primary roads and €45,000 for two schemes along N59 in County Sligo in 2010. Sites were chosen where the incidences of collisions were high historically. Engineering measures such as enhanced signage and lining, safety barriers etc. as appropriate were provided. 

The National Road Grants related to Schemes at:-

• N4 – Ardloy
• N15 – Grange
• N15 – Traffic Calming within Borough
• N17 – Ballynacarrow (Junction)
• N59 – Dromard
• N59 – Dromore West

The Non National Schemes were located at:-

• R297
• R279
• R287 – Pearse Road, Sligo
• Old N4 at Carrowgobbadagh

Road Safety Promotion/Education

Sligo’s Road Safety Officer continued to be proactive in promoting safety on the road networks in County Sligo in 2010. The emphasis this year was on targeting the critical mid to-late teen’s audience.

The main items of note were:-

• Road Safety Roadshow - Sligo Local Authorities hosted its first Road Safety Roadshows. The two shows were a great success with over 500 Transition Year students attending. The show itself is quite hard-hitting for the audience and pulls no punches in delivering the road safety message to impressionable teenagers.
• Radio Advertising - Advertising campaigns were run on Radio in conjunction with other neighbouring Local Authorities.The target audience was late-teens & early 20’s. 
• Sligo Rally - We continued to promote road safety during the Connaught Motor Rally’s Sligo stage. The target audience were male drivers ranging between the age of late-teens to 40 years old.
• Hi-Vis Vests - We held a trial on the use of hi-visibility vests during the winter for National School children in rural schools. An assessment may lead to this initiative being introduced in all rural national schools in 2011.
• Fatal Road Traffic Collisions - All fatal road traffic collisions continue to be jointly inspected by Gardai and the Road Safety Officer.

Major National Road Schemes

A total of € 1,243,667 was allocated in 2010 to the planning & design of major national road schemes as follows:

N17 Tobercurry Bypass

This scheme is approximately 11 km in length and extends from the townland of Rathscanlon, south of Tobercurry, through the townlands of Ballyara, Carrowntober, Tobertelly, Muckelty, Tawnavoultry and Carrowclare and ties back with the existing N17 in the townland of Carrowreilly. Work commenced on the route selection process over ten years ago with the Preferred Route adopted in May 2001. In 2010, Baseline Surveys for the EIS were undertaken and these are currently being finalised. Other design revisions and cost management exercises have been completed. It is intended that the Preliminary Design, Environmental Impact Statement, (EIS) Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and other project deliverables will be finalised and submitted to the NRA in early 2011. Publication of the CPO and EIS will be subject to approval and funding from the NRA.

N17 Tobercurry Bypass – Collooney

This is the northern part of the N17 scheme and the Preferred Route was adopted in 2001. Work has been ongoing on this scheme on an intermittent basis since 2006. EIS baseline surveys carried out in 2006 are currently being updated and work is ongoing at present in relation to Preliminary Design, EIS, CPO and other project deliverables. It is intended that these will be complete in 2011. Publication of the CPO and EIS will be subject to approval and funding from the NRA.

N4 Realignment Collooney – Castlebaldwin

It is proposed to upgrade the section of road from Collooney to Castlebaldwin to a Type 2 Dual Carriageway. The scheme is 14.4 km in total and consists of 12.7 km of new road from Doorly to Castlebaldwin as well as 2.7 km of online section from Collooney to Doorly. The Route for this Scheme was selected in May 2002 and at present work is underway updating baseline environmental surveys. When these are complete, the Preliminary Design, EIS, CPO and other Project Appraisal Deliverables will be prepared. It is intended to have these completed by the end of 2011. Publication of the CPO and EIS will be subject to approval and funding from the NRA.

N4/N15 Sligo to County Boundary

Work commenced on Route Selection for the N15 Sligo to County Boundary in 2004 and has been proceeding at a steady rate since then. Ryan Hanley WSP were appointed as consultants in 2007 and they have delivered the Preliminary Design, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). These were submitted to the NRA for approval in mid 2010, however due to the Economic downturn, funding for the whole scheme will not be forthcoming. In order to progress part of the scheme Sligo County Council sent various options to the NRA for discussion purposes in late 2010. The option favoured by the NRA was to construct a smaller scheme from Hughes Bridge to the Borough Boundary. This will include the widening of Hughes Bridge. Preliminary Design Drawings, EIS, CPO drawings and other Project deliverables are currently being updated. This Scheme has been titled “N4/N15 Sligo Urban Road Improvement”. It is intended that the Preliminary Design Report, EIS, CPO and other project deliverables will be submitted to the NRA for approval in 2011. Publication of the CPO and EIS will be subject to approval and funding from the NRA.

Bridge Repairs, Reconstruction and Strengthening 2010

Sligo County Council continued with bridge repair works in 2010, generally on old stone bridges in urgent need of attention around the County. All work was designed and supervised by Sligo County Council.

Specific Improvement Works included:

Doonoweny Bridge, Lissadell

These works consisted of rebuilding of upstream voussoirs and reconstruction of partially collapsed and heavily bulging wingwall supporting the road and the construction of new parapets.

 
- Restoration Work

- Completed work

Rathfrack Bridge Reconstruction

This unusual sandstone beam bridge was verging on collapse in certain areas and as a result the piers supporting the structure were strengthened and the entire superstructure replaced with reinforced concrete slabs to accommodate modern traffic loads. The external appearance of the structure was restored to its original form using the available sandstone as shown. Stone work was carried out by Sligo County Council staff.

- Before Reconstruction

- After Reconstruction

Other bridges repaired included:

• Derreen Bridge West
• Carraun Bridge
• Aghamore Bridge
• Castleore Bridge.

The NRA also funded substantial widening works to two bridges on the N17 near Curry, to the value of circa €400,000. This work involved the use of a new arching system not used before on any public road in the Republic. 

The following photograph shows the larger of the two bridges, namely Callowghoge Bridge.

- Installation of the new concrete arch extension system

- The completed job, N17 near Curry