Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

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South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade Environmental Impact Statement NTS5. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT Arup Consulting Engineers The purpose of this transportation assessment is to quantify the effect of the proposed scheme in terms of its operational performance, value for money and its effect on the transport network in Dublin. The steps in the process were traffic data collection, preparation of an existing (2005) area-wide traffic assignment model, preparation of forecast Opening Year and Design Year models, and preparation of LINSIG capacity model of the N7 / R113 junction proposals in order to test the junction layout. The scheme developed for Newlands Cross is based on a grade separated interchange – with a free flow N7 passing over an at-grade R133 / N7 slip roads junction. The at-grade layout consists of two adjacent signal controlled junctions, which will operate as a single entity to ensure co-ordination of signal timings and hence movements through the junction. Capacity analysis was undertaken which indicated that without the scheme in place (the Do- Minimum scenario), significant delay and congestion is forecast to occur. With the scheme in place (Do-Something), the at-grade signal controlled junction has appropriate capacity to ensure that queuing does not occur on key links (eg. N7 off-slip roads, R113 link across N7 mainline). N7 through-traffic will operate under ‘free-flow’ conditions and will not be affected by operation of the R113 / N7 junction. The cost benefit analysis for the Newlands Cross scheme proposals demonstrates clearly that significant economic travel benefits would accrue from the proposed Scheme, by far the largest element of the benefits being the value of the time savings resulting from the reduction in traffic congestion on the network. The impact of construction traffic will not be significant when compared to the levels of general vehicle traffic at the junction. NTS6. SOILS, GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY Newlands cross junction is located in an area underlain by man made fill, glacial drift deposits and limestone bedrock. An understanding of the sub-surface conditions was built up using a scheme specific ground investigation. This information was supplemented by desk study information gathered from public sources including the Geological Survey Ireland, Ordinance Survey Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency. Impacts predicted for this development include potential contamination of soils and groundwater / bedrock aquifer during construction and operation, the excavation of surficial and rock deposits, disposal and reuse of excavated material, and the compaction of sub-grade materials. Mitigation measures include appropriate controls and working methods to prevent spills and dust generation from plant/tanks, appropriate profiling, falls and drainage of earthworks operations to promote safe run-off, appropriate foundation construction techniques to minimise noise, vibration and soil/groundwater contamination, maximum reuse of excavated material where appropriate, minimum handling and suitable storage of soils intended for reuse, and capping of placed fill material to minimise dust generation and dermal contact. If the recommended mitigation measures are followed, it is anticipated that there will be no significant residual negative impacts on the soil, geological or hydrogeological environment. December 2007 Page NTS5
South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade Environmental Impact Statement NTS7. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT Arup Consulting Engineers This section of the study deals with the visual and landscape impact of the EIS for the proposed upgrade of the junction at Newlands Cross, Clondalkin, to provide a grade-separated junction, resulting in the creation of an overpass. The subject site is located on the N7 Naas Road at the junction with the Belgard Road and Fonthill Road (R113). Tree planting along the roadway itself is confined to some isolated lines of tree planting along the median to the east of the road junction, while there are no trees planted on the grassed median to the west. There are other areas of significant tree planting adjacent to the road corridor, in particular along the boundary of the Newlands Golf Course. The general road corridor itself has a low level of visual amenity. To the north of the N7 mainline road corridor is the southern edge of the Clondalkin area, consisting primarily of residential housing with local services in the form of schools, shopping centres, sports grounds etc. To the south, the land is primarily open space in the form of agricultural land to the east and a golf course to the west. The junction is visually dominated by the Bewley's Hotel development with its ‘clock tower’ block facing onto the N7. Views toward the existing route corridor are primarily confined to short distance views from the Fonthill Road / Belgard Road (R113) and along the N7 Mainline corridor itself from the east and the west. The highest level of the proposed overpass will be approximately 9 metres over existing ground levels. The construction will be of pre-cast concrete beams supporting an in-situ concrete deck slab. The approach embankments will be constructed using reinforced earth and facing panels. Other elements that will form part of the completed scheme will include: • Lighting • Signage • Crash barriers • Noise barriers • Landscape planting / visual buffering During the construction stage the works will have a significant and negative visual impact due to elements associated with construction works of this type. The landscape impact during the construction phase will also be significant and negative. The impact will be caused by the removal of the existing trees along the median to the east of the junction as well as the removal of existing vegetation as necessary as part of the land take for the development. The visual impact during construction phase will be mitigated somewhat by appropriate site management measures and work practices being implemented. The landscape impact will be mitigated by the implementation of proper tree protection measures during construction, including ensuring all trees to be retained are clearly marked on all relevant plan drawings. All vegetation removed will be replaced, where appropriate, with similar native species. The proposed grade separated intersection will be viewed as a raised platform with access ramps aligned along the axis road in an east – west direction. The ramps will be elevated to a maximum height of 9 metres over grade. The completed overpass structure will consist of a road carriageway on precast concrete beams supported on concrete columns. The anticipated views of the structure are illustrated in photomontages presented in Figures 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, 7.16, 7.17, 7.22, 7.23. December 2007 Page NTS6
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PLATES
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APPENDIX A5 - TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT
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South Dublin County Council Newland
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0 kilometres 2 Scale N.T.S Ordnance
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APPENDIX A8 - NOISE AND VIBRATION
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APPENDIX A9 - AIR QUALITY
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APPENDIX A11 - ECOLOGY
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APPENDIX A12 - ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITE
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