Road Design / Construction / Improvement / Maintenance

• Callan Traffic Management Plan - Green Street Improvement Scheme - Phase One completed Q2 2009 and Phases 2 & 3 completed 2010. Scheme officially opened on the 27th of September 2010.

• Newpark Drive Improvement Scheme - Phase 1, Land acquisition by agreement finalised in early Q2 and accommodation works completed Q2. Phase 2 carriageway resurfacing and footpath completed in Q3.

• Kilkenny Central Access Scheme - Decision from on An Bord Pleanala received on the 7th of July 2009. Substantial Further Information sought with respect to Phase One of the Scheme. Revised EIS and CPO to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala in Q1 2011.

• N10 Ring Road Improvement Scheme - Detailed Design completed. Works for Phase 1, which included the provision of footpaths and cycle tracks between the Bohernatounish Road Roundabout and the Dublin Road Roundabout and carriageway widening to allow 2 lane entry and exit from three roundabouts completed in late Q2 2010. Interim pavement remedial works completed in Q2 2010 between the Waterford Road Roundabout and the Dublin Road Roundabout. Full pavement reconstruction to be undertaken in 2011 subject to NRA funding allocations.

• R700 Thomastown Relief Road. Land Acquisition by agreement for Phase 1 completed 2009. Site Investigation Works for Phase 1 and 2 completed in 2009. Detail Design and Contract Documents for Phase 1 completed in Q1 2010. Detail Design and Contract Documents for the Dangan Pedestrian Bridge - Advance Contract completed in 2009. Works commenced Q3 2009 and the scheme was officially opened on the 26th of February 2010.

• Eastern Environs Improvement Scheme - Phase 1 - Golf-links Road and New Orchard Road Improvement Scheme - Detailed Design, Contract Documents and Land acquisition completed 2009. Works commenced Q3 2009 and the scheme was officially opened on the 11th of June 2010.

• Northern Ring Road Extension and Nore River Crossing - (N77 Castlecomer Road to R693 Freshford Road). Site Investigations substantially completed in 2009. Topographical survey completed 2009. Full installation of electronic water level gauges and flow meter equipment to undertake River Nore hydrology modelling completed Q2 2010. Hydrology Report expected to be completed early Q2 2011.

• Regional Road Sign Posting Contract - Signage strategy, detail design and contract documents prepared for a substantial number of Regional Routes within the County in 2010. A number of routes had signage up-grades in 2009 and 2010 and it is expected the balance of Regional Routes will be up-graded by the end of 2011.

• Stoneyford, Knocktopher and Ballyhale Village Improvement Schemes -In conjunction with the opening on the M9 Motorway, substantial improvement works were completed in Q4 2010. The works included footpath reconstruction, pavement resurfacing, traffic calming and drainage improvements.

• N9/N10 Phase 2 Waterford to Knocktopher was completed during 2010 by BAM Civil Engineering as Main Contractor. The Official Opening of the Scheme took place on 22nd March 2010.

• N9/N10 Phase 4 Knocktopher to Powerstown. SRB Limited (a joint venture of Roadbridge and Sisk) was completed in 2010. The Official Opening of the Scheme took place on Thursday 9th September 2010.

• N24 Moincoin Bypass. Although a Preferred Route has been chosen it is unlikely that the Scheme will proceed in the near future.

• N25 Waterford to Glenmore. Tramore House Regional Design Office continued design work on the Scheme. The Preferred Route was put on Public Display on 7th December 2010. Preliminary design will continue throughout 2011.

• Mobility Management Plan - The Stage 2 Bid for funding was submitted to the Dept. of Transport in April 2010 . The competition results are yet to be announced. Kilkenny Local Authorities have continued with the implementation of the Plan using local funding. Projects completed in 2010 included pavement improvements in Kieran St., James St., James Green and Greenshill in Kilkenny City. The network of cycle lanes leading from the Kilkenny Ring Road to the City Centre were completed as was additional bicycle parking, bus set-down areas and the adoption of a 30kph Special Speed Limit in the Core City Centre.

Improvement Schemes

Old Golf Links Road, New Orchard Road and Lovers' Lane Improvement Scheme

The upgrading of the Old Golf Links Road and the New Orchard Road between the N77 Ring Road and the Johnswell Road, including improvement works to Lovers' Lane was completed in the summer of 2010.

In excess of 2km of carriageway was widened and reconstructed which has greatly improved the horizontal and vertical alignment of the road. This scheme has also provided for sustainable modes of travel including walking, cycling and public transport. In this regard, footpaths, cycle-tracks and bus bays have been provided along the route. Although pedestrians could previously use existing footpaths to walk along some of the route, the intermittent nature and poor quality of the same was not conducive to walking, particularly as pedestrians had to cross the road on a number of occasions to access the available footpaths and this was particular so for people living along the New Orchard Road.

Cognisant of the significant residential development which has occurred on the lands abutting Old Golf Links Road and New Orchard Road, our target was to deliver a grade A urban streetscape to cater for the needs of the residents and other road-users. The scheme was funded by Kilkenny County Council from planning development contributions collected from developments in this locality.

Green Street Enhancement Scheme

The Callan Bypass which opened in 1997 removed the vast majority of through traffic from the town centre. However, problems still existed within the town core, due to the narrow streetscape and sub-standard junctions which resulted in haphazard parking and poor traffic circulation in Green Street. In addition the pedestrian facilities with regard to footpath provision were of a poor standard with no dedicated crossing facilities. In general the street was the worst for wear and in need of a major facelift.

In early 2009 works commenced on the Green Street Enhancement Scheme. The works includes for the widening and reconstruction of footpaths to a very high specification, dedicated pedestrian crossing facilities and delineated parking and bus stop provision. The scheme also allowed for the special enhancement of the existing sensitive features within the street, for example the Brother Edmund Rice Monument, the area to the front of the Parish Church and the preservation and display of a newly discovered 19th centaury stone lined well which provided drinking water to the people of Green Street up to the 1920's. The end product has much improved the attractiveness of the streetscape and provided greater accessibility for all road-users. The scheme was funded by Kilkenny County Council from planning development contributions collected from developments in this locality.

N10 & N77 Kilkenny Ring Road

The N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension involved the construction of 4.2 km of wide single carriageway, from the existing N10 Dublin Road Roundabout to a new roundabout on the N77 Castlecomer Road.  It also included for the construction of three additional roundabouts along the route at the Hebron Rd, Johnswell Rd and New Orchard Rd intersections. The scheme also provided for a footpath and a two-way Cycletrack along the urban side of the scheme. To facilitate this project three bridges, and one underpass had to be constructed and 1.2km of the Dublin to Kilkenny Railway line had to be realigned. Construction of this section of road commenced in June 2005 and it was opened in December 2007.

During the period 2008 to 2010 major improvement works were undertaken on the N10 section of Ring Road. This work included the widening of the existing carriageway cross-section to allow for the future installation of four lanes of traffic. The Dublin Rd, Bennettsbridge Rd and Bohernatounish Rd Roundabouts where altered to allow two lane entry and exit along the mainline, to maximise the capacity of same. On the city side of the Ring Road from the Dublin Rd Roundabout to the Bohernatounish Rd Roundabout a footpath and two-way Cycletrack was constructed, thus providing a continuous link to the Castlecomer Rd Roundabout.

Both schemes required significant investment by Central Government and Kilkenny County Council.

Lenght of Roads on 31st December, 2006

note - same as 2007

Road Design / Construction / Improvement / Maintenance

The total expenditure on roads in the county was €119,451,985. An allocation of €11.552m was provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government whilst the National Road Authority allocated €103,695 towards National Roads. The Council allocated €2.615m from their own funds and €1.59m from Development Contributions.

The major schemes undertaken included:

• M8/N8 Cullahill/Cashel - Construction stage commenced.

• N9/N10 1st Phase Waterford to Knocktopher - Phase 2 Contract.

• N9 Phase 4-Knocktopher to Powerstown - Archaeological works carried out in 2006.

• N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension - Construction commenced in June,2005 and works ongoing in 2006.

• R700 Wallslough-Bennettsbridge - Construction completed in 2006.

• N77 Bohernatounish Roundabout - Substantially completed in 2006.

• N77 Ballynaslee - Design ongoing in 2006.

• N76 Tennypark to Brownstown - Design ongoing in 2006.

• Kilkenny Eastern Environs-Ballybough Street. Contract tender analysis underway in 2006.

• Newpark Drive - Draft planning report completed. Revised Part 8 to be published early in 2007.

• Kilkenny Inner Relief Road - Design ongoing and indicative route set out.

• R705 Graiguenamanagh Relief Road - Contract underway and expected to be completed early in 2008.

• N77 Bohernatounish Roundabout - Substantially completed in 2006.

• N24 Piltown/Fiddown 2+1 Road - Completed in 2006.

• N24 Mooncoin By Pass - Ground Investigation contract underway in 2006

New footpath at the Watergate Theatre

Development Charges

Following the Council's adoption of a new Development Contribution Scheme in 2003 a sum of €3.975m allocated to roads. In accordance with the Council's Development Contributions Scheme 40% of the Roads budget is allocated at area level, while 60% is allocated at full Council level.

Community Involvement in the Road Works Scheme

Local Improvement Schemes

This scheme refers to non-public roads serving two or more separate agricultural holdings . A local contribution of at least 10% of the cost of improvement works required and the balance is charged to the Local Improvement Scheme grant from DOELG.

Public Lighting

Kilkenny County Council maintains over 6,000 lights.

Cost of electricity / maintenance / upgrade: €663,534.

In 1996 a decision was taken to upgrade all public lighting in the county from Mercury to sodium lights and a contract was entered into with the E.S.B. to upgrade same and provide infill lighting to be funded over a five year period. The works were completed in May 2000. In 2004 Kilkenny County Council agreed to a four year programme for public lighting which is ongoing.

Service Indicators

• Area of local and regional surfaced dressed 796,881 sqm.
• % local and regional surface dressed: 6.039 %

Lenght of Roads on 31st December, 2002

Road Design / Construction / Improvement / Maintenance

The total expenditure on roads in the County was €21,601,764 in 2002. An allocation of €10,535,698 was provided by the Department of Environment and Local Government whilst the National Road Authority allocated €11,066,066 towards National Roads.

The major schemes undertaken included:-

• N8 Design - Cullahill/Cashel

• N9 Design - Kilcullen/Waterford

• N24 Design - Mooncoin By-Pass

• N77 Design - Kilkenny Ring Road Extension

• N9 Priority Maintenance

• N10 Paulstown/Kilkenny Pavement Improvement

• N24 Piltown/Fiddown By-Pass

• N25 Waterford/New Ross Pavement Improvement

• N77 New Road Roundabout

• N78 Crettyard Junction and Pavement Improvement

• R693 Threecastles (see image below)

Community Involvement in the Road Works Scheme

Local Improvement Schemes

This Scheme refers to non-public roads serving two or more separate agricultural holdings. A local contribution of at least 10% of the cost of improvement works required and the balance is charged to the Local improvement scheme grant from DOELG.

Public Lighting

Total number of lights 4,800

Cost of electricity/maintenance/upgrade €515,611

In 1996 a decision was taken to upgrade all public lighting in the county from Mercury to Sodium lights and a contract was entered into with the ESB in 1999 to upgrade same and provide infill lighting to be funded over a five year period. The works were completed in May 2000 and will be paid for in full by 31/12/2003.

Road Safety

Kilkenny County Council completed 7 Low Cost Remedial Schemes in 2002. The value of these schemes totalled €251,065 - 2 were funded by the NRA on National Roads and 5 were on Non National Roads. The works involved improving the road marking, traffic signs and lighting at high accident location sites.

The following are the latest Road Traffic Accidents statistics for Kilkenny from the Road Accidents Facts 2001:

Kilkenny County Council continues to emphasise the importance of safety on our roads by means of education, accident prevention and publicity.

Service Indicators

(€1.50 TO €2.00) per square metre for surface dressing [depending on preparation required].

7.38 of local roads surface dressed per annum.

8.16% of regional roads surface dressed per annum

Motor Taxation Statistics 2002

A total of 3449 new vehicles were registered in Co. Kilkenny in 2002 compared with 3654 in 2001 and 5375 in 2000.

The National Vehicle & Driver File system was implemented in Kilkenny Motor Tax as and from the 1st December, 2001. The National Car Test now requires that all cars over four years old qualify to be tested.

The Unit Costs Per License/Disc issued for 2002 was €6.79.

Motor Taxation Service Indicators 2002
Percentage of Motor Tax applications which:

Percentage of overall postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) from receipt of the application:

Transaction Costs (direct) per unit €7.80.

32.5 hours.
opening hours: 9.30 am. to 4.00 pm (including lunch time opening).
Monday to Friday.

Lenght of Roads on 31st December, 2007

Road Design / Construction / Improvement / Maintenance

The major schemes undertaken included:

• M8/N8 Cullahill/Cashel - Substantial progress in relation to earthworks, culverts and structures was achieved in 2007 by the contractor SRB Civil Engineering Ltd.

• N9/N10 Waterford to Knocktopher - Phase 2 Contract. Ascon Ltd., commenced work on site in January,2007 establishing their compound at Mullinavat. Good progress has been undertaken in relation to earth works and setting out for bridge construction etc.

• N9 Phase 4 - Knocktopher to Powerstown - Archaeological resolution has commenced in advance of the main works and anticipation that a contractor will be appointed in early 2008.

• N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension - Construction commenced in June 2005 and the road was officially opened on the 18th December 2007.

• N25 Waterford to Glenmore. Public consultation in relation to constraints study was undertaken in September 2007 which will allow the identification of a study area for route options to be developed.

• N77 Ballynaslee - Design ongoing in 2007.

• N76 Tennypark to Brownstown - Design ongoing in 2007.

• Kilkenny Eastern Environs - Ballybough Street. Contract underway in 2007.

• Newpark Drive - Draft planning report completed. Revised Part 8 published in 2007 and adopted by the Council in April 2007.

• Kilkenny Inner Relief Road - Design ongoing and indicative route set out.

• R705 Graiguenamanagh Relief Road - Contract nearing completion and expected to be completed early in 2008.

• N24 Mooncoin By Pass - Ground Investigation contract completed in 2007.

N77 Kilkenny Ring Road Extension

Development Charges

Following the Council's adoption of a new Development Contribution Scheme in 2003 a sum of €5.3m allocated to roads in 2007. In accordance with the Council's Development Contributions Scheme 40% of the Roads budget is allocated at area level, while 60% is allocated at full Council level.

Community Involvement in the Road Works Scheme

Local Improvement Schemes

This scheme refers to non-public roads serving two or more separate agricultural holdings. A local contribution of at least 10% of the cost of improvement works required and the balance is charged to the Local Improvement Scheme grant from DOELG.

Public Lighting

Kilkenny County Council maintains over 6,800 lights.

In 1996 a decision was taken to upgrade all public lighting in the county from Mercury to sodium lights and a contract was entered into with the E.S.B. to upgrade same and provide infill lighting to be funded over a five year period. The works were completed in May 2000. In 2004 Kilkenny County Council agreed to a four year programme for public lighting which is ongoing.

Service Indicators

• Area of local and regional surfaced dressed 795,398 sqm.
• % local and regional surface dressed: 6.039 %

Road Safety

• Road Safety Plan prepared in association with An Garda Siochana, the Road Safety Authority, Dept.of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, National Roads Authority and other relevant agencies adopted by the Council in December 2007. The plan was prepared as part of a coordinated strategy to address the issue of road fatalities and serious injuries within the county.

• Road Safety Together Committee set up to review progress in relation to implementing the Road safety Plan.

• School Safety Programme adopted by the Council in 2007.

New Bridge constructed over N77 Ring Road Extension.