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N4-N15 Sligo Urban Improvement Scheme

Construction works which are being carried out on the N4-N15 Sligo Urban Improvement Scheme by Fox Building & Engineering Ltd., on behalf of Sligo County Council, are now substantially complete and the scheme is fully open to all road users. Minor works consisting of snagging, rectification of defects and completion of outstanding works as required will be ongoing over the next number of months.

This scheme consists of the upgrade of the existing N4-N15 urban dual carriageway from just north of Hughes Bridge to just north of the R291 Rosses Point Road junction. The scheme, which is funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), also includes the installation of state of the art traffic signal technology as part of the provision of an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) along the Inner Relief Road to optimise traffic flows through the junctions.

The completed main civil engineering works include the upgrading of 730m of the existing N4-N15 dual carriageway, northwards from Hughes Bridge, to two straight-on lanes in each direction, with longer stacking lanes at all three junctions. These junctions include the R870 Markievicz Road junction, the N16 Duck Street junction, and the R291 Rosses Point Road junction. The Rosses Point Road junction has been converted to a T-Junction

A total of 13 junctions along the Inner Relief Road and the adjacent Local/Regional Road network have now been upgraded to an Urban Traffic Control System. This incorporates the latest advances in traffic signal and fibre-optic communication technology, which also future proofs the communication network as part of Sligo County Council’s ‘Smart City’ initiative.

This Traffic Management Scheme also assists in meeting Sligo County Council’s Smarter Travel and Sustainable Transport objectives with the provision of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in both directions, north and south.

For latest information pertaining to necessary Traffic Management measures in place as part of the N4-N15 scheme please refer to the Sligo County Council Roads Report, which is available through the following link: http://www.sligococo.ie/PublicNotices/

Due to the location of the works on the N4-N15 urban dual carriageway, some minor Traffic Management Arrangements will be required during the defects period including management of pedestrians.

For latest information pertaining to necessary Traffic Management measures in place as part of the N4-N15 scheme please refer to the Sligo County Council Roads Report, which is available through the following link: http://www.sligococo.ie/PublicNotices/

The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) uses real-time data from vehicle detectors to enable the traffic signals speak to each other and make ‘intelligent’ decisions, which optimises traffic flow. The aim is to make the road network as safe and efficient as possible.

Benefits:

  • This ITS investment will improve safety, offer consistency in travel times and reduce congestion that will allow for fuel efficiency, as well as reduce air pollution.
  • The system will also have the capacity to allow for Emergency Vehicle green waves and the potential for public transport priority.
Location of 13 Junctions which will be upgraded as part of UTC System

Location of 13 Junctions which will be upgraded as part of UTC System

The completed main civil engineering works included the upgrading of 730m of the existing N4-N15 dual carriageway, northwards from Hughes Bridge, to two straight on lanes in each direction, and longer stacking lanes at all three junctions. These junctions include the R870 Markievicz Road junction, the N16 Duck Street junction, and the R291 Rosses Point Road junction. The Rosses Point Road junction has been converted to a T-Junction.

Works also included improvements to the open space at the Rosses Point Road/N15 junction, which is now approximately doubled in size from previously. The scheme repaired the masonry arch section of the Copper River Culvert under the Rosses Point Road as well as replacing and widening the upstream culvert crossing the N15. The construction of six retaining walls, the provision of drainage systems, various utilities works, earthworks, pavement construction, boundary treatment, landscaping, street lighting, the provision of enhanced footways and cycle-ways as well as the installation of the Urban Traffic Control System all formed part on the construction works on site.

The scheme also included the provision of some key Irish Water capital Infrastructure including:

  • 2 No. 600mm diameter trunk sewer sleeves crossing N15
  • Strategic watermain link between N4/N16 Junction & Ballast Quay
  • Provision of twin rising main from N15/R291 Junction to Ballast Quay

Key dates in the project timeline are as follows:

  • Design commenced early 2016
  • Scheme submitted to An Bord Pleanála June 2017 including submission of:
    • Natura Impact Statement
    • CPO documents
  • Oral Hearing for the scheme held in November 2017
  • Scheme received statutory approval from An Bord Pleanála in February 2018
  • June 2018 – commenced 1st stage of restricted tender process in accordance with EU & Irish Procurement Legislation – Suitability Assessment Questionnaire
  • January 2019 – Tenders issued to 5 No. shortlisted contractors
  • Tenders received – March 2019
  • Contract Award – 31st July 2019
  • Commencement of Works – 27th August 2019
  • Works Substantially Completed – 10th September 2021
  • Snagging, rectification of defects and completion of outstanding works ongoing.

The construction contract for the scheme was awarded to Fox Building & Engineering Ltd (FBEL) on 31st July 2019.

Overall, the project is being managed by Sligo County Council’s National Roads Project Office Sligo PO), assisted by the following parties:

  • Employers Representative & Designer – Jacobs Engineering Ireland Ltd
  • Sligo County Council Site Residential Engineering Team
  • Environmental Assurance Officer – Woodrow Sustainable Solutions

Current Works Status (January 2022):

Works for the scheme commenced on site on 27th August 2019 and works are now substantially complete and the scheme is fully open to all road users.

Minor works consisting of snagging, rectification of defects and completion of outstanding works as required will be ongoing over the next number of months.

Communication

Fox Building & Engineering Ltd have appointed a Public Liaison Officer for the works who can be contacted at 087 9368681.

Further information in relation to the scheme can be sought from Sligo County Council at:

Sligo National Roads Project Office,
Sligo County Council,
Business Centre,
Market Yard,
Sligo,
F91 WV7R.
Telephone: 071 9111975 & 071 9111982
Email: n4n15@sligococo.ie