Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
713 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport the status of the St. Stephen’s Green to Liffey Junction LUAS line; if the concerns of Dublin Bus have been suitably addressed to allow this project to proceed; if the funding for this project is secure in view of budgetary shortfalls; if he will announce a start and completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/08]
View answerEarlier this year, I mandated the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with planning the delivery of Line BX/D, based on the Agency's preferred route for Line BX and the use of the Old Broadstone railway alignment for Line D.
The RPA is now progressing with detailed planning to implement this decision on the basis that it is its intention to make a single railway order application for the combined Line BX/D to An Bórd Pleanála in the latter part of next year. The detailed planning includes the development of a construction strategy, which takes cognisance of the works in the city centre required for Metro North. It is not possible to construct Metro North and Luas Line Bx/D simultaneously, in light of the traffic management consequences in the city centre.
The time scale for the project will be critically dependant on the outcome of the construction strategy being developed between the RPA and Dublin City Council. The RPA and City Council are engaging with key stakeholders, including Dublin Bus, in the development of the construction strategy for Luas Line Bx/D.
