Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
735. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which construction work will begin on the extension of the Luas BXD to Broombridge, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52759/12]
View answer736. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made to date on progressing the Luas BXD project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52760/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.
The provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. 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 Quality Bus 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. The project has been prioritised under the Governments's 5-year capital plan - Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework . Funding has been included in my Department's capital allocation to 2016 to cover the cost of commencing the main construction works in 2015 and for pre-construction enabling works in 2013 and 2014. Construction is expected to take 4 years. An Bórd Pleanála gave approval to the project on 2 nd August 2012 and, following the statutory 8-week appeal period, the railway order (RO) is now operational. An updated business case for the project, taking account of conditions attached to the RO and reflecting the current economic context, has now been completed by the Railway Procurement Agency. The updated business case has also been reviewed by the National Transport Authority. A further announcement on the project will be made shortly.
