The first real test of the new layout at the Red Cow roundabout in Dublin will come this morning at rush hour.
The new layout was unveiled yesterday morning, when there were relatively small volumes of traffic on the road. Previous changes to the roundabout layout has led to long delays, but the National Roads Authority (NRA) is confident that there will be no acute traffic problems today.
The NRA had faced fierce criticism from the public for the layout of the previous junction which saw many motorists go astray while the Red Cow roundabout was being upgraded.
The NRA says problems were caused by the roadworks which forced motorists approaching the junction to veer left and then straight on, giving them less time to react.
The realignment of the road now means that motorists have a clear line of sight approaching the junction. The NRA has erected two variable message signs along with several conventional signs on the approach to the junction.
"For people coming in the Naas Road, they are mainly in the same position that they were last week, except that the lanes have changed slightly and the visibility to the signage has been improved," said Hugh Cregan of the NRA. "We're confident that there is adequate signage there for people to navigate their way around the junction."
Motorists approaching the junction will be told get into lane. The outside two lanes will be for the M50 north and south respectively. The two inside lanes will be for the city centre and the Luas park and ride.
Traffic from Monastery Road to the city will be directed on to a new freeflow over-bridge link from where they will merge with the main N7 inbound traffic.
Traffic from Monastery Road to M50 southbound/northbound traffic will also be directed on to the over-bridge link. The M50 northbound traffic from Monastery Road will have to travel southbound and U-turn at the new Ballymount Junction until the new northbound free-flow slip road currently under construction comes into operation.
AA public affairs spokesman Conor Faughnan said the new road layout marked a substantial improvement.
"I'm reasonably confident that it will work well this time," he said. "There is good directional signage there now. Once you obey the signs and stay it lane, it should work quite well, though it will take some getting used to."
