My Department engaged Atkins to review the feasibility, safety implications and cost of raising the height of the Dublin Port Tunnel. They have been requested to review a range of options for increasing the operational height of the tunnel, their feasibility, having regard to the state of implementation of the current design and build contract, the additional costs likely to arise and their likely impact on the current project completion date.
Following consideration of a draft report, which was received in my Department on 20 October 2003, Atkins are now preparing their final report. This will be completed in the next week or two and will provide a basis for deciding whether an increase in the operational height of the tunnel is feasible.