OVERVIEW
The M3 Motorway and N3 national primary route form a strategic radial corridor linking Dublin with Cavan and onward to Enniskillen and beyond to Sligo and Letterkenny. Virginia is the last remaining town on the N3 national route from Dublin to the NI Border which has not been bypassed.
Virginia town and its environs experiences a level of both local and through traffic using the N3 that is contributing to congestion within the town centre, which is compounded by the relatively large number of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) passing through the town and making deliveries within the town. This has contributed to poor safety and environment for non-motorised users, in particular vulnerable road users (VRUs). VRU safety and environment has been deteriorating within Virginia town centre and its environs, with shorter trips that are more conducive to walking and cycling being discouraged and displaced with the prevailing traffic condition. In addition, several sections of the N3 in and around Virginia have been identified as High Collision Locations, with 4 fatal collisions and 10 serious injury collisions noted in the period 2012 – 2016.
Barry Transportation as Technical Advisors to Cavan County Council, in partnership with Meath County Council and in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is progressing the development of the N3 Virginia Bypass scheme to deliver a sustainable solution for transportation problems identified along the N3 through Virginia Town and environs.
In 2018, Cavan County Council under the aegis of the TII, commenced development of a new project for the N3 Virginia Bypass, in accordance with TII’s Project Management Guidelines. In view of the time that has elapsed since previous studies for the N3 Virginia Bypass were undertaken, the significant changes to design standards and environmental considerations and the substantial increase in traffic volumes, it was necessary to re-appraise the project from the beginning of the assessment process.
The N3 Virginia Bypass is one of the sections of road specifically highlighted in the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 and it will significantly improve accessibility and journey times between Dublin, Cavan Town and the North West and Border Region. The N3 Virginia Bypass scheme is to be developed as a hybrid multi-modal transport solution which comprises road and public transport (bus) enhancements, demand management, active travel facilities and transport park and share hubs (mobility hubs). The active travel facilities, incorporating pedestrian and cycle facilities, will be provided along the length of the scheme with connectivity, where feasible, to existing footways and walking routes along the scheme. The transport park and share hubs (mobility hubs) will provide safe access to bus services, safe parking and facilitate more carpooling for longer onward journeys, with charging facilities for electric vehicles and electric bikes.
The current commission is to bring the project through the Planning and Design Phases, 1 to 4 of the TII Project Management Guidelines.
