Removing the West Link Toll Plaza
Works to remove the West Link toll plaza will begin on midnight Friday 29th August and could take until late October to complete. At the time of going to print the NRA had yet to finalise full details however, I can give you a good idea of what to expect on the M50 from the end of August until the work is complete. All details below are subject to change and once confirmed will be available on www.AAroadwatch.ie and included in AA Roadwatch traffic bulletins. Don’t forget that M50 upgrade works are taking place on other stretches of the M50 until 2010. The ongoing work at junction 6 Blanchardstown (the N3 interchange) will mean that traffic delays may often occur on the M50 Northbound. These delays could regularly begin before you reach the former toll plaza site and stretch as far as the works at junction 6.
Phase 1: 25th – 30th August: All seven lanes open each way at the toll plaza
In preparation for these toll plaza removal works, it is planned that traffic calming measures will be put in place from Monday 25th August. M50 motorists should expect a slow down approaching the toll plaza for that week in advance of Barrier Free Tolling.
Phase 2: 30th August – Monday 1st September approx Four lanes open each way at the toll plaza
Barrier Free Tolling is now in place and works begin to remove the toll plaza. Bear in mind that the school term begins this week and traffic will be heavier than it has been during the summer months. The initial plans suggest that during the first few days, the outer three lanes will be closed in each direction, leaving the four lanes closest to the Westlink building open to traffic. A reduced speed limit will be in place during this phase.
During this time, it is expected that all booths and the overhead canopy will be removed from the outer three lanes in both directions, while a temporary road surface will be laid. It is likely that this work will take 3-4 days but could take up to one week to complete.
Phase 3: The rest of September until mid to late October. Four lanes open each way at the former toll plaza site
During Phase 3 it is planned that traffic will use the outer four lanes in both directions and the inner lanes will be closed. As all barriers and height restrictions will have been removed by now, any type of vehicle can use any lane, thereby ensuring minimal impact on traffic during this phase. A reduced speed limit will be in place during this phase.
When all work to remove the toll plaza is complete, traffic should be able to free flow on the motorway using any of the four lanes in each direction, travelling under the barrier free toll gantries without disruption. Also, it is expected that the speed limit will be increased back up to 100km/ph. Bear in mind that during the ongoing M50 upgrade works on other stretches of the motorway, the original 120 km/ph speed limit has been suspended and speed limits vary throughout the upgrade works. Drivers must obey signed speed limits at all times. Don’t forget that you may still encounter tail backs on the M50 northbound caused by ongoing upgrade works at junction 6 Blanchardstown (N3 interchange).
