The public consultation on the upgrade of this junction is open until the 9th of August. (Accessible versions of the drawings are available on the consultation site)
What’s wrong with the current layout?
As it stands, there are four arms of the junction (plus apartment access on Grand Canal Way), and a Luas line running across the middle. The junction is very wide, which means drivers often misjudge whether they will be able to get through – they end up sitting in the middle of the junction, blocking traffic, sometimes blocking the Luas. There are no pedestrian crossings on Slievenamon Road or Dolphin Road.
What’s the proposed design?
Basically, to make this a three-way junction, instead of a four-way. That means the junction will be smaller, making it easier for traffic to get through, and there will be safe crossing points across every arm.
Who will benefit from the changes?
Pedestrians will have safe crossing points. People coming from Drimnagh will be able to go directly to the linear park (towards Rialto). People going to Good Counsel GAA from Dolphin Road will have only one road to cross, at a controlled crossing. This means kids walk to and from training safely.
Cyclists will have a safe way through the junction. There’s a cycle route along the canal to the west, and a route beside the Luas line as far as the Liberties, but this junction has always been the most dangerous part of any cycle. (Protected cycle lanes on Dolphin Road are also in design, to support cycling to Harold’s Cross. This upgrade is necessary to make that route work too.)
Public transport users. The 123 bus from Drimnagh (soon to be the 73) will have a bus gate for a fast exit from Slievenamon Road, and both buses and Luas will benefit from the junction being kept clear.
Drivers will be better off too. Right now, the light cycle at the junction takes a long time. There are four major roads converging, with right-turning traffic from three of them, and the width of the junction means a long red cycle to allow traffic to get through. A smaller junction, with only three arms, will mean a faster light cycle.
Another benefit – the increased green space will support benches, more tree planting, and flood prevention.
What is the disadvantage?
Drivers coming from Drimnagh will have to exit onto Davitt Road or Dolphin Road, depending on their destination. For most drivers, there will be no change to travel time. (There is still private car access into Drimnagh on Slievenamon Road, but the exit is bus-only)
I think the overall proposal is very positive. The current layout of this junction is not safe, the proposed design is a huge improvement. I’m very happy to see the improvements to the public realm and sustainable urban drainage included in the plan.
I have three suggestions:
- Cyclists going west from the linear park can cross Dolphin Road to Slievenamon, but can’t cross beside the Luas lines. To reach the canal, or the cycle lane on Suir Road, they must wait for a second set of lights on Davitt Road. The cycle lane crossing the road beside the Luas line should be two-way.
- Cyclists coming from Slievenamon, and going to the linear park are also forced to cross both Davitt Road and Dolphin Road. The cycle lane crossing the south-east of the junction should also be two-way.
- Many people will be cycling to and from Good Counsel GAA club. The shared active travel facility on the south side of Davitt Road should be extended to the entrance to Good Counsel.
