asked the Minister for Local Government whether any new bridges are planned to span the Liffey in the future; and whether any tests are carried out to gauge the wear and tear on existing bridges.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Liffey Bridges.
14.
(Dublin) and Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Local Government what plans are available for the erection of additional bridges across the Liffey to relieve traffic congestion in Dublin city.
16.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, having regard to increasing traffic congestion at Liffey bridges, when steps will be taken to build new bridges across or tunnels under the river; and what percentage of the cost will be met by Government grant.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 14, 15 and 16 together.
Responsibility for the bridges across the Liffey in Dublin city rests with Dublin Port and Docks Board and Dublin Corporation. The Port and Docks Board is responsible for all bridges east of Seán Heuston Bridge, with the exception of the "Halfpenny" bridge at Liffey Street which, together with Seán Heuston Bridge, is the responsibility of the Corporation. The formulation of proposals for the provision of additional bridges over the Liffey to cope with increasing traffic would be a matter for Dublin Corporation acting, of course, in consultation with the Port and Docks Board and the other authorities concerned. No such proposals have been submitted to my Department.
The Deputies will be aware that, as part of the planning process for the city, the Corporation engaged a traffic consultant; the reports received from him to date make certain recommendations for an improved street network involving a new high-level bridge to the east of Butt Bridge in the Cardiff Lane area, and the widening of Butt Bridge. I understand that the Corporation are examining these specific proposals in consultation with the Port and Docks Board and that the examination conducted so far indicates that, because of cost, a tunnel instead of the proposed high-level bridge appears to be ruled out, and, because of technical difficulties, the widening of Butt Bridge is not feasible, and an alternative proposal for the construction of an additional quay-level bridge immediately east of the Custom House is therefore being considered. A proposal of Dublin Corporation for the reconstruction and widening of Seán Heuston Bridge was approved in principle by my Department in January last and I understand that contract documents for the project are at present in course of preparation.
I am advised by Dublin Port and Docks Board that they carry out annually a detailed survey of the Liffey bridges in their charge, augmented by quarterly inspections, and that, in addition, small diameter borings are taken from time to time to determine the condition and/or thickness of some of the materials in these bridges. I understand that the "Halfpenny" bridge, which was redecked recently, is regularly inspected by Dublin Corporation.
In view of the early stage at which the consideration of the proposals for new bridges still rests, it would be inappropriate as yet to go into the question of Road Fund grants.