COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 10, 2007

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor D. Keating

To ask the Manager to report on an item by item basis, amid public and media speculation that there are new delays anticipated on the starting and/or completion dates of all Major Transportation and Road Infrastructure Projects applicable to South County Dublin. Now more that ever before the people of South Dublin are in need of the necessary investment in Transportation and Road Infrastructure to help improve the quality of life of our citizens owing to increased traffic congestion and restricted commuter options?

REPLY:

The dates for starting and completion of the various phases of the major transportation and road infrastrucuture projects in South Dublin are as follows:

M50

The M50 Upgrade Design & Build Contract 1 was commenced in March 2006 with a construction period of 24 months.  The Contractor's Programme is as follows'

Substantial Completion of Ballymount Interchange September 2007

Substantial Completion of N4/M50 Interchange December 2007

Substantial Completion of Mainline Ballymount to N4 Interchange December 2007

Substantial Completion of N7/M50 Interchange October 2008*

*Completion of the N7 Interchange is delayed as a consequence of accepting the Design & Build Contractor's "Value Engineering Offer" in respect of an "Enhanced N7 Luas Free-flow Option" in which a section of the Luas Tramway at the Red Cow will be realigned on to a segregated corridor to eliminate road traffic / tram crossings.

N4

Contractor appointed. 

Construction to commence on site mid September 2007

Completion September 2009

Newlands Cross -Grade Separated Junction

Public consultation - commences 12th September 2007

EIS - An Bord Pleanala approval Mid 2008

Construction to commence late 2008

Completion late 2010

Kildare Route Project

Contract 1 between Lefanu Road, Ballyfermot to Fonthill Road has been awarded. Works to be completed 2008.

Contract 2 works in the Kishogue area to be awarded shortly.

Service commencement dates at the new stations

Park West (September 2008)

Clondakin / Fonthill Road (September 2008 )

Kishougue (January 2010)

Adamstown (April 2007)

LUAS Line A1 (Citywest)

The Railway Procurement Agency has completed pre-application consultations with An Bord Pleanala in relation to the line and is now in the process of finalising a Railway Order Application.  The Railway Order Application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanala in the coming weeks and if granted, will provide the powers necessary to construct, operate and maintain the line.

Metro West

The Minister for Transport and the Marine, Noel Dempsey TD announced the emerging preferred route corridor for Metro West on the 5th July 2007.  The route chosen is broadly route option 1 as defined during the route options consultation phase however the sub-option running through Clondalkin Park has been chosen in preference to the alternatives in that area.  The Railway Procurement Agency will shortly distribute an updated newsletter outlining the selected route and identifying the selection process.

The Railway Procurement Agency have now entered the next phase of the project and have begun what is known is the outline design.  The outline design will demonstrate the exact location of the track, stops, depot and other infrastructure and allow the Railway Procurement Agency commence the next round of consultation (based on design).  It is expected that open days will be held where the public will be invited to inspect more detailed drawings and other information on the selected route before the end of the year.  It is possible that variations to the corridor will emerge through that process in some discrete areas.

The Railway Procurrement Agency have also now begun the Reference Design and EIS with a view to lodging the Railway Order Application in late 2008.  It is expected that, subject to the successful making of a Railway Order in 2009, that construction will begin in 2010 and be completed in 2014.  The Railway Procurement Agency is also considering the phased delivery of this project but do not expect to have a definite position until closer to Railway Order Stage.