Construction begins on Citywest Luas Extension

 
The West of Dublin will benefit from significant developments in its public transport as contracts were signed and construction began yesterday on the Luas Citywest Extension.

The Citywest spur line is an extension of 4.2 kilometres to the Luas Red Line and will serve the residential and commercial areas of Citywest, including the National Digital Park, and Saggart. It will also serve the communities of West Tallaght with new stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown and Fortunestown. It has been estimated that an additional 3.5 million journeys will be taken annually by 2016 as a result of the extension of the line. It is expected that construction will be completed by the end of 2010 and that passenger services will commence in early 2011.

At yesterday’s event An Taoiseach Brian Cowen T.D. said:

“Ireland has one of the biggest capital investment programmes in Europe. NDP Exchequer capital allocations in 2009 will be over 5% of GNP. Given the severe budgetary constraints which do exist at present, this represents a substantial economic stimulus and will support employment, economic activity and help maintain the capacity of the construction sector.”


The project is funded by Public Private Partnership and is part of Transport 21, the largest ever investment programme in Ireland’s transport system. In agreement with the Railway Procurement Agency, Citywest Luas Ltd. will be responsible for delivery of a substantial part of the works for this extension as well as providing land (including a 300 space Park and Ride facility) and making a capital contribution towards the project. On this collaborative approach the Taoiseach said:

“…This new Luas line is being developed in a partnership between the public and private sectors. It is an example of effective cooperation to provide public infrastructure and develop land in a sustainable manner. This type of partnership between the public and private sectors, which brings real gains to the community, is very welcome.

Since its establishment, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has worked closely with local authorities to integrate transport and land use policies.

By working together in this way we can ensure that both the State and the private investor benefit. The State can ensure that land is developed at densities that are appropriate and investors are assured of developments which are well served by public transport. By adopting this collaborative approach, developments are made more attractive and sustainable in the long term.”


At the other end of the Luas Red Line, construction is ongoing on the 1.5 km extension from Connolly Station to the Docklands and the O2 Arena. This is due to begin passenger services in late 2009 or early 2010. An extension of the Luas Green Line from Sandyford to Cherrywood is on schedule for completion in late 2010. All of These Luas projects under construction are part of the Transport 21 investment programme.

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