March 2006

Delivery of Transport 21
Since the February 2006 progress report, the following has taken place:

Luas

• The Public Inquiry for the Sandyford to Cherrywood Luas has concluded and the Inspector will now prepare a report on the findings of the Inquiry for consideration by the Minister. 
  
• The Inspector appointed to the Public Inquiry for the Docklands extension has indicated that the preliminary session of the Inquiry will take place on 22 May.

Heavy Rail

• On 9 March 2006, the Minister formally launched the commencement of construction of the new Docklands Rail Station. The station will be constructed at a location north of Sheriff Street, adjacent to the east side of the Royal Canal. This station is needed to provide short term increased capacity and frequency on Maynooth and Western services to cater for growing demand, pending construction of the Interconnector in 2015. The station is scheduled to open by end 2007.

Roads

• The N55 Cavan Bypass Link scheme was officially opened on 9 March 2006. The scheme involved the construction of 2.5 km of single carriageway and links the N3 at Pullamore Roundabout to the N55 at Corlorgan, South of Cavan. Construction commenced in August 2004. 
  
• The NRA has appointed the Direct Route Consortium as the Preferred Tenderer for the N7 Limerick Southern Ring Road, Phase II. The project comprises of approx 10km of standard dual carriageway and 4km of single carriageway and will incorporate a 900m tunnel under the River Shannon.