N8 Cullahill to Cashel Road Improvement Scheme

Route Selection Report Volume 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction
The purpose of the route selection phase is to carry out a detailed technical evaluation of the route options under consideration. This phase takes into consideration all of the issues identified during the constraints phase, traffic surveys, identification and investigation of route options, identification of potential environmental impacts, possible mitigation measures for each option, and preparation of a scheme budget or cost estimate.

This report also takes into consideration: -

• National Road Needs Study (1988)
• National Development Plan 2000-2006
• Review of Transport Infrastructure Investment Needs (DKM, 1999)
• County Development Plans
• National Roads Authority (NRA) National Roads Project Management Guidelines, March 2000.

Options Considered
The Do Nothing and Do Minimum Options, although considered in detail, were ruled out for reasons provided in Chapter 3 of this report. Route options which had the least effect on constraints underwent detailed assessment resulting in the following nine routes being presented at Public Consultations held in April 2001.

• Red Route
• Purple Route
• Orange Route
• Orange Alternative Route
• Blue Route " Route A (Red / Purple)
• Route B (Orange / Blue)
• Route C (Blue / Orange)
• Route D (Purple / Orange)

 

After further analysis and comments received following the consultation, two additional routes were included, Route E (Orange / Blue) and Route E Alternative (Orange Alternative / Blue).

Assessments Undertaken
Specialists in the environmental, traffic, economics and engineering fields assessed the eleven route options. These specialists examined the route options from their point of view and submitted an overall assessment of each individual route option. These assessments included:

• Engineering
• Traffic
• Economic
• Geology, Hydrogeology and Soils
• Archaeology
• Ecology
• Landscape and Visual Aspects
• Agriculture and Land Use (Bloodstock)
• Socio-Economic / Human Beings
• Noise and Vibration
• Air Quality
• Construction

In addition all information received during the public consultation was assessed and taken into consideration during the route selection phase of the project. Possible minor realignment of the various options under consideration were examined as a result of this consultation process and amendments to original proposals were made where appropriate. Having taken account of the concerns of all interested parties, and accommodated them where possible and feasible, the preferred route was developed.

Conclusion
To determine the overall preferred route option the appraisal framework set out in TA30/82 was implemented. This methodology involved comparing two options at a time, eliminating the less favourable option at each iteration until the preferred option emerged. The preferred option was then compared to the strongest contenders to ensure that a logical consistency had been maintained through the process.

Route E has emerged as the best alignment taking into account the environmental, engineering and economic constraints and the views of the landowners and the public. This is shown on Figures E1 to E5 below.

E1 | E2 | E3 | E4 | E5

It is recommended that Route E be adopted as the route for the N8 Cullahill to Cashel Scheme. The carriageway should be to dual carriageway / motorway standard and the junctions grade separated junctions at the interface with the proposed Cashel By-pass, at the Horse and Jockey on the N62, south of Twomileborris serving the N75 and at Urlingford serving the R693.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be carried out on the route during the preliminary design phase in order to reduce the routes impact where possible. The residual impacts will then be reported in the Environmental Impact Statement.

For further information on any of the National Roads projects listed on this website,please contact the N8 Project Co-ordinator,Roads Office,Kilkenny County Council, 1 Dean Street, Kilkenny

Freephone number 1800 488 884
Phone: 056-91300
Fax: 056-91313
nro@kilkennycoco.ie

N8 Cullahill to Cashel Road Improvement Scheme
Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, 2000 to 2006

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