M9 motorway (Ireland)

:"For M9 motorway in Scotland, please click here."IRL motorway routebox
parent =
motorway = M9
length-km = 24.5
length-mi = 15.3
direction = N-S
start = Kilcullen
destinations = Athy,Carlow
end = Leighlinbridge
opening-date = 1993
completion-date = 2010
junctions =
N-roads = N78, N80

The M9 motorway ( _ga. Mótarbhealach M9) is a motorway in Ireland, forming part of the N9 Dublin to Waterford national primary route. Currently, the motorway exists in two parts: the 6 km Kilcullen bypass and the 18.5 km Carlow bypass. Prior to July 2008, the majority of the M9 – from Junction 2 onwards – was to be built as High Quality Dual Carriageway (HQDC). However, due to the passing of a Statutory Instrument in that month, a large section of the route was re-designated to motorway standard. The section included the motorway under construction between Kilcullen and Powerstown and the (then) newly-opened Carlow bypass. It is expected that the remainder of the route will be re-designated in due course.

Route

M7 to Kilcullen

The M9 begins at Junction 11 (previously Junction 9) on the M7 motorway. This junction is a restricted access interchange, allowing traffic from the M9 to enter only the eastbound carriageway. There is no access to the M9 from the M7 eastbound. The route continues for 6km before it merges into the existing N9 route. The section runs between Junctions 1 and 2 on the M9 corridor.

Carlow Bypass

This 18.5 km (11 mi) section of motorway opened on the 29 May 2008 and runs between Junctions 4 and 6 on the M9 corridor. It provides a full and complete bypass of Carlow and allows access to the N80 for Rosslare and the R448 for Leighlinbridge. [http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/KildareCountyCouncil/N9N10CarlowBypass/SchemeName,15480,en.html]

Although the Carlow bypass has carried the blue signage associated with motorways from the day it opened (minus the 'motorway-regulations' signs), it had not been under motorway restrictions until September 24th. This meant that drivers were required to obey a 100 km/h speed limit and that all forms of traffic were free to use the road. [http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=10193&lang=ENG&loc=2270] As of September 24th 2008 this section has become under motorway regulations, following the passing of statutory instrunment. The speed limit increased to a standard 120 km/h motorway limit and all motorway restrictions are being enforced.

Future

Sections under construction

As of 2008, all sections yet to be completed are under construction. By the end of 2010, the M9 motorway will be complete and will include up to 13 junctions.

* Construction began in February 2008 on 27km of motorway linking the Kilcullen bypass with the Carlow bypass. It is expected to be complete in late 2010. When finished, it will run between Junctions 2 and 4 on the M9 corridor. [http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/KildareCountyCouncil/N9N10KilcullentoCarlow/SchemeName,15481,en.html]

* Construction is also ongoing since 2008 on 40km of motorway between Carlow and Knocktopher. This section will include a link road to Kilkenny, part of which will most likely be designated motorway due to the nature of the interchange design. This scheme is also expected to be finished in late 2010; when complete, it will run between Junctions 6 and 10 on the M9 corridor. [http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/KilkennyCountyCouncil/N9N10CarlowKnocktopherKilcullenWaterford/SchemeName,15473,en.html]

* Work is progressing well on the Waterford-Knocktopher section of the M9 route. This section is 24km long and will run between Junctions 10 and 13 on the M9 corridor. It will include a tie-in to the new M25 Waterford bypass when complete in 2009. [http://www.nra.ie/RoadSchemeActivity/KilkennyCountyCouncil/N9N10WaterfordKnocktopherKilcullenW/SchemeName,15474,en.html]

* When complete, the M9 will be approximately 116.5km (73 mi) in length. And an important infrastructure for econamical growth.

Proposed Service Areas

The National Roads Authority (NRA) plans to construct Motorway Service Areas at approximately 60 kilometre intervals along each of Ireland's interurban routes. Under this plan, the M9 will have two such areas. The first will be located near the M7/M9 interchange between Junctions 1 and 2. The second will be located south of Carlow near Bagenalstown, between Junctions 7 and 8 (see here, p.25 [http://www.nra.ie/Publications/ServicesAreasEIS/M1SouthMotorwayServiceArea/file,14391,en.pdf] ). As of October 2008, no details regarding the physical construction of the M9 service stations have been announced.

Junctions

References