Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1stDecember 2009, the provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA. LUAS BXD to Broombridge is designed to be a key element in an overall integrated transport network for Dublin. It will create a LUAS network by joining the LUAS Red and Green Lines and will also link with rail services from Maynooth and Dunboyne and with existing QBC schemes which enter or cross Dublin City Centre. It will also in time interchange with future key projects such as Dart Underground and Metro North.
There has been extensive engagement between the RPA, Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus and the business community aimed at minimising the construction impacts of Luas BXD on all road users, including pedestrians, in the city centre area. The ongoing engagement between the relevant agencies on these important issues, which now also includes the NTA, will intensify both prior to and during the construction of the project.
An initial working group comprising the RPA, NTA and Dublin City Council has been established to work through the traffic management arrangements that will apply during the construction of the project. It is proposed that a wider Traffic Forum will also be established, which will include An Garda Síochána, Dublin Bus, the main contractors undertaking the works as well as representatives of traders and businesses. It is intended that this Traffic Forum will be the main focal point for addressing traffic matters on the project and I will chair the meetings of this body.
I understand that arrangements for the relocation of taxi ranks and bus stops affected by the construction works will be developed over the coming months in consultation with relevant stakeholders.