Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
The other primary elements of visual significance are the existing lighting standards along the
N7 road corridor and the high volumes of traffic which regularly backs up at the junction (See
Plates 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4).
There are areas with a higher level of visual amenity in the adjacent area such as the open
spaces to the north-east, the open space to the west and the Newlands Golf Course to the south
west. While further to the north-west the high visual amenity area of Corkagh Demesne is
located.
Views toward the existing route corridor are primarily confined to short distance views from
the Fonthill Road, The Belgard Road and along the N7 mainline corridor itself - from the east
and the west and from a small portion of Newlands Golf Course to the south.
There are also views towards the road corridor from Bewleys Hotel and the car showrooms to
the north-west and from the office development, car showrooms and the first floor levels of
the housing backing onto the N7 to the north-east.
There is a long distance view towards the site from Ballymount Road to the south, where
Bewleys Hotel can be seen in the distance.
3.11.10 Characteristics of the Proposal:
The two options considered are as follows:
3.11.10.1 Option 1 – Overpass
This will result in a bridge structure being installed over the existing road junction with the
Fonthill / Belgard Road (R113) remaining at existing grade and passing underneath the bridge.
The highest level of the proposed overpass would 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.
Diversion of the traffic during the construction phase will require the temporary land-take of a
portion of the lands to the south of the road corridor to include lands along the northern
boundary of Newlands Golf Course, the derelict site immediately to the south-east of the
crossroads, the agricultural lands to the east of the Belgard Road and at the corner of the
residential property located further east.
To the north of the road corridor temporary land-take will include a portion of the open space
located adjacent to Boot Road and at the grass verge separating the N7 roadway and the
access road to the developments to the east.
All trees in these locations will be required to be removed.
There will also be land required for a site compound which will be located on the open space
to the west of Boot Road, to the south of Green Park housing estate.
This will result in the removal of some tree planting in this location.
Construction of the overpass will take approximately two years to completion.
3.11.10.2 Option 2 – Underpass
This option will result in a ‘tunnel’ being constructed under the junction of the Fonthill /
Belgard Road (R113) to a depth of approximately 9 metres below existing ground level.
The temporary land take will be similar to Option 1 and it will take approximately three years
to construct this option.
December 2007 Page 46