Ratoath Road Realignment and Overbridge to Replace Reilly’s Bridge, Co. Dublin

The Ratoath Road links Cabra to Dunsink in north Dublin. The road crosses the Dublin to Sligo Railway Line at a level crossing and the Royal Canal at an existing masonry arch bridge. For the reasons described below, an April 2008 feasibility study recommended the closure of the level crossing, XG002.

Increased future traffic is expected along this section of the railway line due to the following:

• Opening of the Spencer Dock Station in Dublin’s docklands
• Reopening of the Clonsilla to Pace sections of the Dublin to Navan Railway Line
• Reopening of the Pace to Navan sections of the Dublin to Navan Railway Line
• Improvement in Commuter and Intercity services on the Dublin to Sligo Line
• Proposal for the DART Underground project between Docklands and Inchicore
• Future electrification of the Maynooth Line

The increase in rail traffic will contribute to the delays experienced by road users at the level crossing. Safety of road users is compromised by the sharp bends and poor vertical alignment at the canal bridge and the lack of pedestrian facilities at the level crossing. Also, no separate cycle facilities are currently available.

For the above reasons, Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers have been commissioned by Iarnród Éireann to carry out a preliminary design for the realignment of Ratoath Road as part of a joint Iarnród Éireann / Dublin City Council project, which is part of Transport 21 and is funded through the National Transport Authority.

The proposed scheme incorporates the following major elements:

• Traffic, cycle and pedestrian facilities along the 500m of realigned road
• Tie-in to the existing Ratoath Road at Marian School, circa 240m south of the level crossing
• Landscaped embankment on the southern approach to the bridge constructed on the grassed area to the east of the existing road
• A 70m long single span steel truss bridge crossing the railway and the canal
• Reinforced earth walled embankment along the open land between the existing commercial units to the north of the bridge
• Pedestrian ramped access to the canal from the north west side of the bridge
• A revised signalised arrangement of the Ballyboggan Road junction
• Closure of the existing XG002 Reilly’s level crossing

The scheme’s design is taking into consideration the vicinity of residential and commercial properties to the road and the public amenity provided by the canal. The Environmental Impact Statement was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in December 2010 and has been available for viewing from 21st December 2010 in Cabra Library and Dublin City Council Civic Offices. The original display period was 6 weeks long but due to Christmas this has been extended by 2 weeks. It also can be downloaded from the website www.irishrail.ie/reillysbridge

Observations and submissions to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, accompanied by a fee of €50, are invited in relation to the likely effects on the environment of the proposed road development. The final date for receipt of submissions and observations is now Monday 14th February 2011.

Subject to approval by An Bord Pleanála, construction of the scheme is expected to commence in the second half of 2011 and be of 12 months duration.