New road safety measures are to be implemented on the controversial N2 primary route through Slane village and bridge from tomorrow. Changes to traffic flow approaching Slane bridge will form the €1.3 million second phase of new safety measures introduced by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority in co-operation with the Garda Louth-Meath traffic unit.
The most significant new measure is the introduction of a second lane on the downhill southbound approach to the bridge. Cars and heavy vehicles will be split into two lanes with each lane controlled by separate traffic lights. The new lights have been phased to release the car lane first with heavy goods vehicles following.
The aim is to stop articulated trucks colliding with motorists. The 100 yards on either side of the bridge are among the most dangerous stretch of road in Ireland with steep gradients.
Two-year-old David Garvey was the most recent victim to die on the road when he was crushed by a lorry in February last year.
Other traffic-calming measures include new electronically co-ordinated traffic lights. Traffic lights have also been installed in Slane village at the N2/N51 junction to link with the lights at the bridge.
The system will monitor traffic queue lengths throughout the village and will automatically adjust timings to suit traffic.
Locals are reserving judgment.
"On paper they look to be a good idea. The movement of traffic is changing. If it all works like clockwork it'll be great," said local Fine Gael councillor Ms Anne Dillon-Gallagher.
Mr Oliver Perkins, county engineer with Meath County Council, said there were new traffic lights 150 metres up the hill which would act as a safety measure should a truck break down on the single northbound lane north of the bridge.
"We did consult with the locals and also very closely with the gardaí from the Louth-Meath traffic unit. We want to do the best we can and have taken the advice of the best of the experts and took full advice of recognised Irish and foreign experts," Mr Perkins said.
"We are confident of its success but it's all very emotive, I know. There are a lot of factors that contribute to an accident.
"There's a huge gradient for heavy articulated trucks and the length of the hill too is tremendous," he added.
Mr John McKeown of Slane Bridge Action Committee said: "When a lorry goes out of control nothing will stop it. The two lanes mean one lorry will be hitting the back of another.
"The only thing is, when a truck is on a skid or out of control it's not going to stay in a straight line. It's going to hit either cars on one side or pedestrians on the other."
Overhead gantries have been erected to direct drivers to use the correct lane. However, Mr McKeown noted that "if a lorry comes down the hill out of control, what can the sign do for them then? There's no sign on them to say steep hill descent ahead, they only indicate two lanes."
Mr Perkins said the signs were all "variable messaging signs which alternate messages electronically. Messages will be put up indicating the hill below. The whole traffic system is electronically co-ordinated throughout the village and in the case of an electrical breakdown the gardaí have dual control."
Additional measures include anti-skid surfacing laid on the downhill approaches to traffic lights, revised speed limits and installation of public lighting. Pedestrian and cycle ways have also been created.
Mr Perkins said while the new measures "are the best possible short term" solution for Slane village and traffic, a bypass to Slane remained "the best solution in the long term".
The National Roads Authority has recently given Meath County Council permission to select a route for a bypass.