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5
Development of Preferred Route
5.3
Southern Assessment
Summary of
Step 2
It was concluded from the Step 1 assessments and workshop discussions
that the least favourable options were: -
- E1 between nodes 38 and 41
- E3 between nodes 41 and 45
- E6 between nodes 43 and 45, 45 and 46
- G2 between nodes 48 and 50
- G1 between nodes 50 and 51
The traffic and socio economics presentations highlighted the need
to route the new N9 close to Kilkenny in Section E (Routes E1, E2,
E3 and E4 should meet the objectives subject to the junction locations)
(see Section 8). It appeared that routes E5 and E6 would be least
likely to meet the project objectives.
Options discarded
at this step were: -
- i) E6 this
route would be least likely to meet the project objectives in
terms of traffic and economics, and it had high negative impacts
between nodes 43 and 46.
- ii) E5 because
of its association with E6 in terms of its difficulty in meeting
the project objectives, plus environmental implications.
- iii) E3 this
option had high negative impacts associated with the crossing
of Nore and Kings River.
The analysis
of Selection Matrix A and workshop discussion had also identified
some link modifications and new links which could help avoid areas
of high localised impact whilst retaining much of the original corridor
these modifications and new links were identified in all sections
(E, F and G) and are described in Volume 3 Section 18.3.6
Summary
of Step 3
Step 3 concluded with the identification of the favourable links
(included on RSR3 Figures 18.9 to 18.13) and the preparation of
the next Selection Matrix, B, included as RSR3 Figures 18.14 to
18.16. This recorded all the remaining links from Step 1 together
with the modified links and new links introduced in Step 2. Where
new nodes had been identified, small links had been created as a
result and these needed to be included in the matrix. These were
between nodes 39A and 44 and 49 to 49A.
Summary of Steps 4 and 5
At this step there was a change from assessment between nodes to
assessment of complete route options within sections E, F and G.
As a result the following options were identified (see RSR3 Figures
18.17 to 18.28): -
- E Options
1 to 6
- F Options
1 and 2
- G Options
1 to 4
These complete
route options were compared using Selection Matrix C (RSR3 Figures
18.29 to 18.31) and it was concluded that the preferred route should
be a combination of E Option 2, F Option 1 and G Option 3. The preferred
route corridor to form the basis of Public Consultation No. 3 is
shown on RSR3 Figures 18.32 to 18.36.
Kilkenny link road
The junction strategy (Section 17.10) had identified the need for
a new link to Kilkenny which was to be a single carriageway standard.
Having concluded that there was sufficient capacity for a new link
to the Ring Road at Hebron Road (see Volume 3 Section 19), four
options (A to D) were identified linking between the Ring Road and
junction 7 (Dunbell) of the proposed new route. The options are
shown on RSR3 Figure 19.1. The assessment process is explained in
Section 19 and Option D was selected having the best alignment standard
and reduced severance. The proposed link road would be 6.7km long
and is estimated to have a construction cost of €20.4 million.
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