Luas Docklands Launch

Date: 08 December 2009

RPA - LUAS DOCKLANDS LAUNCH

The Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. opened the new Luas Docklands (Line C1) extension today (December 8th 2009). The official opening was also attended by Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello and local representatives, local residents, industry representatives and other key stakeholders. The opening event was held in the National College of Ireland at the new Mayor Square /NCI Luas Stop.

Public Consultation for Luas Line C1 was launched in January 2001. This focused initially on proposals for a line which would extend the existing Luas Red Line from Busaras and Connolly east through Docklands to the proposed Point Village. The route for Luas Line C1 was announced in November 2003.The new route provided for stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and The Point. RPA submitted a Railway Order Application for this extension on 1st December 2005 which was followed by a Public Inquiry in May 2006. This Order became effective in February 2007 and construction work started shortly thereafter. RPA is pleased to note that the new line has been delivered within the agreed timeframe and within budget.

It is expected that the new 1.5km line will add 1.8 million passenger journeys to the Luas network in 2010 and is a key component of the Government’s Transport 21 programme. The cost of the Docklands extension is €90m and a list of key contractors is included at the end of this release.(Appendix A).

Journey time from The Point to Tallaght is 52 minutes. Journey time from Busaras to The Point is 6.5 minutes. Trams will run from The Point to Tallaght every 6.5 minutes at peak times (7.00am-10.00am and 4.00pm -7.00pm) and every 8 minutes at all other times. It is anticipated that 2 out of every 3 trams will be going directly from Tallaght to the Point.

RPA Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Allen said that he was delighted that the first new extension to Luas is ready to go into service. Mr. Allen said that although many people in the IFSC had misgivings about building a light rail through the heart of a financial services and were concerned about possible interruptions to critical services that by and large these concerns and misgivings were well managed. “Building infrastructure in a complex urban environment, within approved budgets and within programme, can only be done if we achieve a genuine partnership with the people affected by the construction and who will benefit from its completion. This afternoon we are joined for our celebration by many of our partners who have worked so hard with us to plan and implement the project”, said Mr. Allen. He thanked all those who had engaged with RPA during construction. Mr. Allen continued, “I should also acknowledge my own colleagues, our partners in DDDA and DCC, and our contractors, who all ensured that we honoured the commitments made by RPA when we applied for permission to build this line”.

Appendix A

Construction Contract C1-100 Utility Diversion Contract.
This contract included the utility diversion work and certain drainage works necessary to facilitate the future construction of the main Civil and Track works. In general the existing utilities were relocated away from the tram swept path or protected at predetermined crossing points with provision for access for maintenance and repairs. The works included any alterations to service connections to individual properties necessitated by the diversion of the main utility apparatus. The works were carried out by SIAC Construction Ltd between June 2007 and September 2008.

Construction Contract C1-300 George’s Dock Bridge Contract.
Briefing Note on Luas Docklands 2/3 This contract involved the upgrading of the parapets, deck surface and footpaths on the existing bridge over George’s Dock and included the installation of rail and ducting for Luas. The works were carried out by Sisk between May 2007 and September 2007.

Construction Contract C1-301 Spencer Dock Structures Contract.
This contract included the construction of a new landmark bridge spanning Spencer Dock at the western entrance to the Spencer Dock Development and the construction of an underground substation within Spencer Dock Development to serve the Luas extension. The works were carried out by Laing O’Rourke between January 2008 and April 2009.The bridge won the very prestigious Best Structural Design prize at the LEAF ( Leading European Architects Forum) Awards in Berlin in 2009.

Construction Contract C1-400 Civil and Track Infrastructure Contract.
This contract included the construction of all civil and trackworks required for the new extension. The works were carried out by Mpact (a joint venture of Laing O’Rourke and Volker Rail) between April 2008 and December 2009. Some minor works will continue into the New Year.

Construction Contract C1-401 Supply of Specialist Trackwork
This contract included the design and supply of the points and crossings and the complex delta junction between Connolly, Busaras and George’s Dock Stops. These works were carried out by VAE between July 2007 and December 2009.

Construction Contract C1-450 Systems Infrastructure Contract
This contract included the design and construction of the systems infrastructure that monitors and controls the operation of the Luas. These works were carried out by Somague Sacyr Bowen and their subcontractors Efacec between June 2007 and December 2009.

Mott MacDonald Pettit and RPA were the lead designers on the project and Arup were the structural designers for the main structures. Future Systems architects developed the design for the Spencer Dock Bridge in conjunction with Arup. RPA project managed the overall project.

There was considerable interface and coordination involved with the various developers along the line (including Treasury Holdings and Harry Crosbie). In addition to this the execution of the utility works required direct works contracts with the various utility providers and this interface was managed by RPA.