Vol. 461 No. 8
98 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if the building of the northern leg of the port access route in Dublin will increase traffic volume on the East Link Bridge; and the percentage increase of traffic going to the south side by the East Link or other routes. [3999/96]
The primary purpose of the proposed port access route is to provide a direct link from the C Ring Motorway to Dublin Port to cater for existing, and anticipated growth in, port traffic. The final report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative recommended that the proposed route should be complemented by a range of management measures designed, inter alia, to maximise the use of the tunnel by port related HGV traffic; divert such traffic away from residential areas; and minimise the use of the tunnel by car commuters and non-port related traffic. The nature of these measures and the manner in which they are implemented will determine traffic flows on individual links within the port area. I understand that Dublin Corporation is currently developing such management proposals under the environmental traffic project.
