Written Answers. - Light Rail Project.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
64
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the progress, if any, of the light rail proposal for Dublin; the time schedule associated with the various aspects of the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4662/99]
The recent progress on the Dublin light rail project is as outlined in my press statement of 29 January. I attach a copy for the information of the Deputy. It includes an indicative timetable for the various stages of the project. The timetable is subject to the satisfactory completion of the relevant statutory processes and technical evaluations.
Since the issue of the statement public consultation has commenced on the Abbey Street to Connolly section in the past week. My press statement is as follows:
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke, today announced that she has approved the application by CIE for a light railway order in respect of the Tallaght to Abbey Street line. This paves the way for construction to commence early next year.
The Minister has accepted the conditions proposed by the Inspector in his report on the public inquiry into the application. The draft light railway order is now being revised to reflect this decision and will be signed by the Minister shortly. In making her decision the Minister expressed her gratitude to Judge Sean O'Leary for the professional and thorough manner in which he carried out the public inquiry.
The Minister stated: "There has been significant progress on the light rail project since the Government decision of 5 May last year. I am pleased that progress is in line with the indicative timetable which was agreed at that time.
When I announced the enlarged light rail project in May, 1998, some individuals claimed the project was being mothballed. Some even claimed it would never be built. Today's announcement underlines the Government's commitment to light rail and our determination to deliver the project on schedule," the Minister declared.
"We are on schedule and making significant progress right across the project, both on the southside and northside," the Minister said.
The Minister also outlined other developments in the overall light rail project: CIE has submitted an application for a further light railway order in respect of the Sandyford to St Stephen's Green line on 14 December 1998 and Judge Sean O'Leary has been appointed to carry out the public inquiry into that application; a public consultation document, setting out the various route options for the light rail line from Broadstone to Ballymun and the Airport was launched on 18 December 1998; preliminary studies on the underground section from St. Stephen's Green to Broadstone are due to commence within weeks; a public consultation document is about to be launched setting out the route options for the Abbey Street to Connolly Station line. An application for a light railway order for this line is due to be submitted at the end of August this year. This will again be followed by a public inquiry.
In addition, Arthur Andersen who were appointed as lead consultants to advise on a public private partnership approach to the light rail project are due to report in the next few weeks.
LUAS Indicative Timetable
A preliminary estimate of the timescales involved in implementing the Government's objective of proceeding without delay with the construction of the Tallaght to city centre section and, subject to the necessary technical confirmation, with the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green section, is shown as follows. Indications are also given of the work programme in respect of the extension from St. Stephen's Green to Ballymun and Dublin Airport using the old Broadstone railway alignment and with an underground section in the city centre. The timetable is subject to the satisfactory completion of the relevant statutory processes and technical evaluations.
LUAS Indicative Timetable
Targets
|
Tallaght to Abbey St.
|
Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green
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Abbey St. to Connolly
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Application submitted to Minister for Public Enterprise by CIÉ
|
Summer 1998
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Winter 1998
|
Summer 1999
|
Application documentation on public display; Inspector appointed to conduct public inquiry
|
Autumn 1998
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Spring 1999
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Autumn 1999
|
Public inquiry held
|
Winter 1998
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Summer 1999
|
Winter 1999
|
Report from Inspector and Ministerial decision
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Spring 1999
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Autumn 1999
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Spring 2000
|
Tendering; Light Railway Order comes into effect
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Summer 1999
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Winter 1999
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Summer 2000
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Contract letting
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Winter 1999
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Summer 2000
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Winter 2000
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Construction begins
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Spring 2000
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Autumn 2000
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Spring 2001
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Construction completed
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Winter 2002
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Summer 2003
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Winter 2002
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Targets:St. Stephen's Green –Broadstone – Ballymun –Airport
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CIÉ Public Consultation on surface section Broadstone-Ballymun – Airport
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Preliminary Studies on underground section St. Stephen's Green – Broadstone
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Borehole drilling on underground section St. Stephen's Green – Broadstone
|
|
Autumn 1998
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Autumn – Winter 1998
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Spring –Autumn 1999
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