Option D - The Blue Option

Option D (Blue) affects the least amount of agricultural land of the shortlist options. 

From Woodland, Option D is proposed to travel south along the L1012 (Mulhussey Road). 

The route cable will pass the Mulhussey National School (St Josephs). 

The proposed route travels east and then south following the L1012 until the Moyglare Road. It will travel west to avoid Maynooth. 

Along this road a potential off-road corridor is shown where Option D will travel south to cross:

  • the Rye Water, and
  • agricultural land.

A potential off-road corridor is shown where the cable will cross:

  • the Royal Canal,
  • the River Lyreen, and
  • the Dublin-Sligo railway line, avoiding Laraghbryam Cemetery.

Option D is proposed to travel parallel to the north of the M4 Motorway. It will then cross:

  • the motorway to the west of the Maynooth Junction (number 7) and connect to the R406.

Option D travels along this to the north of Straffan, where it meets the R403. This road will take the cable past Barberstown Castle towards Clane. 

Option D will travel to the east of Clane, crossing:

  • the River Liffey but avoiding the town. A potential off-road corridor is shown in this area.

The route connects the R407 to the south of Clane and then connects with the Sallins Bypass. 
Along the Sallins Bypass, Option D will cross:

  • the River Liffey,
  • Dublin-Cork (and others) railway line,
  • Grand Canal, and
  • the M7 Motorway (potential off-road corridor).

Under the M7 Motorway, Option D will then travel along the Millennium Link Road travelling to the west around Naas.

Option D will connect with the R409 and travel east towards Naas, passing the Naas Sports Centre and across the Grand Canal.  

The cable route travels along the R445 and the R447 (South Ring Road).

Option D connects with the R448 (Kilcullen Road) and then travels into the Dunstown substation.

Map of Option D

Figure 7: Option D: The Blue Option
Click to enlarge and zoom
 

Interactive Map: Option D - The Blue Option

I have no comments. Provided the facility is underground. 
Option D is best
[Editor's note: respondent has ticked this option]
Follows wider roads with existing margins. Will have to capacity for contra-flows etc, passes alongside the existing interconnector at Tagard Hill - perhaps might be of [1 illegible word] benefit