Pat Carey
Question:572 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Transport when it is expected that the Dublin Port tunnel will be open for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1031/05]
View answerWednesday, 26 January 2005
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Written answers
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. In this case, the relevant authority is Dublin City Council. However, I understand from the NRA and Dublin City Council that construction of the port tunnel is expected to be completed in December 2005 and the tunnel will be open to traffic six or eight weeks later following commissioning of the tunnel's operations and safety features.
I am advised by the NRA that operational plans are currently being developed, in consultation with the other authorities involved, to govern all aspects of the tunnel's operations following completion. These operational plans will address such issues as traffic management, planned closure procedures — for maintenance work, for example — as well as emergency and safety procedures. As part of these plans, which will be fully developed and implemented prior to the tunnel's opening, all issues associated with the management of traffic and trucks at the portals of the tunnel will be addressed.
The tunnel has been developed with the primary objective of providing a high-quality access route connecting Dublin Port to the national motorway network. To ensure that the tunnel remains available to fulfil this objective, tolling will be applied to traffic other than heavy goods vehicles as a traffic management measure. As a result, the tunnel will have sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic predicted to use it and it is not anticipated that significant queuing of trucks will occur. Combined with the operational plans being developed, it is anticipated that these arrangements will ensure that the tunnel achieves its required level of performance and service.