N8 – Fermoy – Mitchelstown Scheme
The Fermoy-Mitchelstown Road project involves the construction of 16 km of dual carriageway from Fermoy to Mitchelstown together with associated accommodation works and consequential works necessary in order to complete the scheme (see Location Maps, Aerial Mapping and Longitudinal Sections in Volume 2). Within that section, access to and from the Fermoy-Mitchelstown Road will be restricted to three key grade separated junctions at Moorepark, Ballybeg and Carrigane.
The proposed Fermoy-Mitchelstown Road commences at Moorepark, north of Fermoy and crosses the River Funshion. It runs parallel to and to the west of the existing N8. Passing west of the Ballinglanna Woods it crosses the Glencorra Stream at three locations. Near Caherdrinny Castle the route turns northeast to cross the existing N8, south of Mitchelstown. Oriented towards Skeheenarinky, the route keeps south of the existing N8 and terminates at the proposed grade separated junction at Carrigane, with a connection to the existing N8. The proposed N8 Carrigane to Cashel scheme north of Carrigane is also in preparation at present.
Current Stage
Progress Update –24th March 2009
Construction works on the N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme are currently progressing well in a number of areas:
- Works have been ongoing at the Moorepark tie-in over recent weeks. To date the permanent northbound off-ramp and the permanent southbound on-ramp of the Moorepark Interchange have been completed. Works are currently focused on tying in the main line of the new scheme to the existing Fermoy Bypass main line. Regular commuters on the N8 will be able to monitor the ongoing progress in this area – we expect that surfacing works in this tie-in area will get underway after Easter.
- At the northern end of the new route construction of the concrete median barrier is progressing well. The attached photograph shows a view of the completed barrier looking northwards from the Ballyporeen Road overbridge.
- Construction of the final surfacing layer is also now underway working northwards from the Funshion River bridge. The ongoing surfacing and lining works will be visible to N8 motorists in the Ballybeg area over the coming days.
In overall terms the works are progressing very well and it remains apparent that a significant improvement will be achieved in relation to the originally scheduled completion date of March 2010. However, a number of the finishing items including final surfacing, lining etc are heavily weather dependent. Accordingly, it remains impossible to accurately predict a completion date for the scheme but we will issue a further progress update next month.
In the meantime members of the public with queries/comments on the ongoing works are invited to contact the site office on 025-41600.
Progress Update – 20th January 2009
Construction works are ongoing in a number of areas of the N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown site at present.
- Construction of the road pavement layers is well underway in the northern section of the project between the Ballybeg Interchange bridge and the Carrigane Interchange bridge at the tie-in point with the Mitchelstown-Cashel Scheme. The attached photograph shows the road base layer under construction in the Ballyporeen Road overbridge area.
- In the southern section of the scheme between the Ballybeg Interchange bridge and the Moorepark Interchange bridge, construction of the road pavement layers is well advanced with three of the four layers already completed. The final road surfacing has yet to be installed in this area and this element of the works will be completed when the prevailing weather conditions improve, probably commencing in March or April of this year.
The median concrete barrier is currently under construction in this area as shown on the attached photograph.A photograph is also attached showing a general view northwards taken from the Caherdrinny Road overbridge. - Over the coming days works will get underway on the tie-in between the Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme and the existing Fermoy Bypass at the Moorepark Interchange. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane for the duration of these works. However, traffic management measures will be put in place to ensure that no significant delays will occur. Tie-in works in the Moorepark Interchange area are expected to last for 8/10 weeks.
In overall terms it is already apparent that a significant improvement will be achieved in relation to the originally scheduled completion date of March 2010. It is now apparent that the new road will be open to traffic before the end of this year. Also, the Contractor, Roadbridge Construction Limited are currently mobilising additional resources with a view to further improving on the completion date for the scheme. A full reprogramming exercise is currently underway for the outstanding work elements. This exercise should be completed before the end of next month and a revised likely completion date will be circulated at that stage.
In the meantime members of the public with queries/comments on the ongoing works are invited to contact the site office on 025-41600.
Previous Posts
N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme
Progress Update –4th November 2008
The final overbridge on the n8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme will be opened at the Ballyclough Road within the next two weeks. To date, overbridges have been completed and opened to traffic at the Caherdrinny Road, the Ballybeg Interchange, the Brigown Road, the Araglen Road and the Ballyporeen Road. Completion of the Ballyclogh Road Overbridge will ensure that works on the mainline N8 can proceed uninterrupted by traffic on the various minor roads.
As shown on the attached photographs, paving works are well advanced on the southern half of the scheme between Moorepark Interchange and the proposed new interchange at Ballybeg. Pavement construction works will get underway on the northern half of the scheme between Ballybeg Interchange and the northern tie in point at Kilbehenny next week. These works will continue over the winter months and should be substantially complete by next summer.
The works remain on target to improve significantly on the original due completion date of March 2010. We now expect the Fermoy-Mitchelstown section of the N8 route will certainly be open to traffic during 2009.
N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme
Progress Update –7th October 2008
Significant progress is currently being made on the pavement construction element of the Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme on the N8 route. Construction of the sub-base layer of the new road has been ongoing between the existing Moorepark Interchange and the proposed interchange at Ballybeg over recent weeks. At the moment pavement construction is focused on the Moorepark Interchange area. Pavement works will also be ongoing over the coming weeks in association with the new layout on the Ballyporeen Road. In overall terms it is hoped to improve significantly on the original target completion of March 2010 and it is now anticipated that the Fermoy-Mitchelstown section of the N8 route will be open to traffic next year.
Progress Update – 8th September 2008
Significant progress continues to be made on the Fermoy-Mitchelstown Contract on the N8 route despite recent weather conditions. It is currently hoped that the new bridges at the Ballyclogh Road, the Araglen Road and the Ballyporeen Road will all be opened to traffic within the coming 4/6 weeks. N8 main line pavement construction works are currently ongoing between the Ballybeg Interchange and the Glenwood Road. Construction of the road sub-base in this area is now approximately 50% complete and it is hoped to further improve output under this heading if weather conditions improve over the coming weeks.
Roadbridge Limited, Civil Engineering Building Contractors, are the main contractors on the scheme. They have now completed a re-assessment of their overall programme for the Contract and the target completion date has been brought forward to December 2009, 4 months ahead of the originally scheduled date.
Progress Update –25th June 2008
Construction works on the Fermoy-Mitchelstown Scheme are progressing well.
- Earthworks/Drainage:
Bulk earthworks are ongoing in the area immediately north of the Moorepark Interchange. We now expect that bulk earthworks on the majority of the site will be substantially complete before the end of September 2008. - Structures:
Bridge beams have now been placed on all major structures on the scheme. Completion works are currently ongoing on the Caherdrinny Road Bridge and the Ballybeg Interchange Bridge. We expect that traffic will be running on both of these bridges before the end of July 2008. - Road Pavement:
Pavement construction works are now underway in the Ballybeg Interchange area. Significant traffic management measures will be in place on the N8 at Ballybeg (2km south of Mitchelstown) for the next 4/5 weeks. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction in this area from Thursday 26th June 2008. It should be noted that the new speed limit in this area is 60km per hour and motorists are asked to exercise particular caution in this area over the coming weeks.
In overall terms, we remain confident that the due completion date of March 2010 will be achieved.
- The Compulsory Purchase Order for the scheme has been completed, the notice to treat issued and the notice of entry issued.
- An advance works contract for boundary fencing and site clearance was awarded and is currently progressing.
- An Archaeological resolution contract is underway and due to complete during summer 07.
- The construction contract has gone to tender. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed by November 07.
