LimerickCoonagh Northern to Knockalisheen Distributor Distributor Road Road ––PhaseSchemePhase 2 ‘Limerick Northern Distributor Road’ Presentation to the Municipal District of Cappamore --KilmallockKilmallock 232323 rdrdrd March 2017, Kieran Lehane & Vincent Murray Limerick Northern Distributor Road - Overall Scheme Objectives ll Provide a Northern Distributor Road around Limerick to provide a transport link between the eastern, northern and western fringes of the City and therefore reduce travel times for all communities in Limerick City and surrounding area and to facilitate and promote future economic development Promote balanced development in Limerick and the surrounding region. Improved road connectivity across Limerick and Improve access to and from the Shannon Airport. Improve access to areas of employment and educational opportunity Improve development of pedestrian and cycle facilities, to reduce travel time for this sector . WHY? - LimerickLimerick NorthernNorthern Distributor Distributor Road ––PhasePhase Road 2 (LNDR) •The LNDR will cross the northern part of the city and link the Mackey Roundabout on the M7 to Coonagh on the Ennis Road. •A number of junctions along the road to serve the City, Coonagh, Cratloe, Parteen, Corbally, the University of Limerick and the National Technological Park, Annacotty etc. Direct link road from UL to LIT •Corbally, Monaleen, Castletroy & Annacotty areas are experiencing rapid growth -This is expected to continue up to at least 2030 Population of Limerick and the Mid-West predicted to grow substantially over the next 20 years. •These areas are experiencing traffic congestion at peak times - It can take up to 40 minutes to exit UL at peak times - It can take up to 20 mins to get out of NTP onto R445 •Limited capacity for these areas to grow without new infrastructure •We must solve the problems that exist today and plan for growth. Limerick Northern Distributor Road ––PhasePhase 2 Limerick Northern Distributor Road The LNDR scheme is currently being progressed as two Knockalisheen Road independent schemes: Phase 2 Phase 1 APPROVED - Phase 1 Coonagh Roundabout on Ennis Road to the Coonagh Knockalisheen Road Roundabout Dublin Road PROPOSED - Phase 2 Knockalisheen Road in north West Limerick to the R445 Dublin Road in East Limerick Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road Proposed Layout Railway Line Castlepark Estate Knockalisheen Road Cratloe Road Moyross Watch House Cross Coonagh Roundabout Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road View looking south along the View looking northwest towards existing Ballynanty Bridge Knockalisheen Road ((KnockalisheenKnockalisheen Marsh on the left and Delmege Estate on the right of the shot) Limerick Northern Distributor Road - Phase 2 Strategic Issues ••Good future planning ••CoonaghCoonagh--KnockalisheenKnockalisheen Scheme ••NSS/MWRPG’s/ MWASP ••Impact on UL/NTP ••Docking point in County Limerick ••Impact on Communities including Mountshannon Road, AnnacottyAnnacotty,, Corbally & Parteen ••Environment ••Flooding ••Shannon Crossing ••Ardnacrusha Headrace/Tailrace Route Options Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for LNDR Corridor • Study assessed the flood risk and potential flood impact of the LNDR proposed road on stream and river channels and on floodplains • SFRA Performed to a high standard that was reviewed and favourably received on by OPW (who are the National Flood Agency) • Flood risk Management Plan Justification test applied and passed in respect to the proposed LNDR Road Corridor • Many sources of relevant hydrological data supported this study – JBA strategic Flood mapping, ESBI River Shannon model studies, Draft CFRAMS Study and mapping, Topographic data, flood modelling specifically carried out for this study, historical flood information, site walkovers , ESB and OPW hydrological data. River Shannon Crossing • Included topographical survey information, lidar data etc. • Included river channel and floodplain cross-sectional information for River Shannon and Mulkear • Developed hydraulic models of the river channels and floodplains being crossed so as to assess feasibility of road crossing and the degree of spanning required. • Applied a TELEMAC2D High resolution Two-dimensional model of the River Crossing to include the interaction of the River Mulkear and River Shannon under regular and extreme flood events and to prepare flood inundation maps of flood vulnerable lands. • Carried out full hydrological analysis of return period flood flows in the Shannon and Mulkear using reliable gauged data. This provided estimates of return period flow magnitudes under various scenarios (ESB Ardnacrusha diversion (on and off), climate change (present day and medium range) Response from OPW •“The OPW welcomes the detailed Flood Risk Assessment for proposed Variation commissioned by Roughan O’Donovan Ltd. •The OPW agree with the conclusions set out in Section 7.3 that the proposal to progress the Limerick Northern Distributor Road project passes the justification test set out in the Flood Risk Management Planning Guidelines (Nov 2009), " given the clear strategic nature of the proposed road transport development, the sequential approach involved in the route corridor selection process and the findings from the flood risk assessment that flood risk to the proposed road development can be adequately managed and mitigated for and that the construction and operation of the road can be engineered not to cause unacceptable adverse flood impacts elsewhere. “ 2017 Proposed Northern Distribution Road Variation Map The Variation Map •The map shows the proposed 100 metre wide corridor in purple that the Council proposes to limit development within until such time as the final road layout is designed and approved. •A dual carriageway type road with footpaths, cycle paths and landscaping would typically be 30 to 40 metres wide between its boundaries and the proposed northern distributor road will fit within the 100 metre wide corridor. •A wider protected area is shown hatched in the vicinity of the Mackey roundabout and this is to facilitate improved junction connections linking the proposed Northern Distributor Road to the existing road network including the R445 Old Dublin Road, the Mackey roundabout (M7) and the R506 Cappamore road. The Planning Process •The first step to deliver this new road is to make planning provision for the road. This planning provision requires a change to the Development Plan. • This planning provision is achieved by the elected Members of Limerick City and County Council amending the Development Plan for Limerick by including the likely route corridor. •The elected members of Clare County Council amended the Clare Development Plan 2 years ago for that part of the road in County Clare •The proposal to amend the Limerick City and County Development Plan will be considered for approval by the elected members of Limerick Council in May 2017. •The agreement of the elected members to amending the Development plan is an absolute requirement if the scheme is to proceed. • Documents relating to the proposal will be published on 25 th February, 2017 and will be available on the Council’s web site www.limerick.ie •The plan can also be viewed at the Council Offices •It is important that people try to inform yourself on these proposals. The Council will welcome any enquiries on the following help lines 061-407294 and 061-407548. •The Council will be delighted to meet individual or groups to assist in explaining the process and the project. Target Programme- Variation Process Public Display (5 Weeks) 2525 thth Feb. 2017 Issue Chief Executive’s Report 2020 thth April 2017 Meeting of Limerick City and County Council 2929 thth May 2017 If the Variation to the Development Plan is approved –– Next Steps ••DetailedDetailed Design ••PreparePrepare Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) and Compulsory Purchase Maps ••SubmitSubmit EIS to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) for planning approval ••IfIf approved by ABP proceed to Design/Tender/Construction Concerns that have been raised about the LNDR •This scheme is a motorway? – No, the scheme is a local distributor dual carriageway type road. It will have footpaths, Cyclepaths, public Lighting and high quality landscaping. -Junctions are , in the main, “at-grade”. •The route selected is the wrong one?-The selected option is the route in that the professional engineering and environmental team believe complies best with all regulations and scheme objectives and will get approval by An Bord Pleanála • Toll income will be reduced on the tunnel? -The benefits of the scheme will significantly outweigh and relatively minor reduction in toll income; the impacts on toll revenue have been considered in the economic studies carried out. Financial Appraisal CBR/ROR exceeded 4 •The scheme will exacerbate flooding problems? -A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been carried out in accordance with planning guidelines; modelling carried out and appropriate bridge configurations selected for Shannon crossing and other locations. The scheme must be designed so that it does not increase flooding issues. •The Scheme will only benefit Clare Co Co? – The Scheme will be a great benefit to Limerick and the whole Mid West region. •Existing Roads and Killaloe Bypass should be used instead? – The option of upgrading existing roads was considered in the development of the scheme and ruled out on environmental, physical and safety grounds. The Killaloe bypass was only designed and went through planning to be a bypass of