May 2006

Delivery of Transport 21

Since the April 2006 progress report, the following developments have taken place:


Luas

• The Public Inquiry, held in connection with the RPA’s application for a Railway Order for an extension of the Luas Red Line from Connolly Station to the Point Depot, took place between 29 May and 2 June. The Inspector appointed to conduct the Inquiry is now preparing his report for consideration by the Minister for Transport.
  

Heavy Rail

• Cork Commuter Rail Project: On 15 May, CIE submitted an application for a Railway Order to the Minister for Transport for proposed works on the railway line from Glounthaune to Midleton. The Minister has directed that a Public Inquiry be held into the application. 
  
• Western Rail Corridor: Iarnród Éireann has submitted business cases to the Department of Transport relating to Phase 1 (Ennis to Athenry) and Phase 2 (Athenry to Tuam). The assessment of these business cases is complete and the Minister for Transport will be submitting proposals to Government shortly. 
  
• Kildare Route Project: The report of the Inspector appointed to conduct the Public Inquiry into Iarnród Éireann’s application for a Railway order for the Kildare Route Project was published on 22 May. The Minister for Transport is considering this report, along with other relevant documentation, and will make a decision on the Railway Order application in the coming weeks.
  
• Dublin Docklands Station: Dublin City Council has granted planning permission to Iarnród Éireann for a new railway station in Dublin Docklands, subject to 11 conditions. Work has begun on site and the station is expected to be operational by summer 2007.
  

Roads

• N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone scheme: On 31 May, the Minister for Transport turned the sod on the N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone Scheme, involving construction of some 29 kilometres of motorway, which is to be completed in Summer 2008. The scheme continues on from the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan scheme (a total of almost 57 kilometres) and forms part of the Dublin-Galway motorway.
  
• N2 Finglas to Ashbourne Scheme (Ashbourne Bypass): On 25 May, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport opened the Ashbourne Bypass to traffic, 4 months ahead of schedule. The project involved the construction of approximately 18.5 kilometres of dual carriageway. The new Bypass will mean time savings of up to 20 minutes at peak times and will remove some 10,000 vehicles from the town of Ashbourne each day.
  
• N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Road Scheme: On 22 May, the Minister for Transport turned the sod on the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Road Project. The project involves construction of some 37 kilometres of dual carriageway and is due to be completed in May 2009. The scheme forms part of the Dublin-Cork motorway, to be completed by 2010. The first phase of the project commences at the southern end of the Cashel Bypass and will run to Carrigane in County Cork. It also includes a section of the N24 Cahir / Rathkeevin road improvement scheme between Cloughabreeda and Knockagh.
  
• N9 Carlow Bypass: On 11 May, the Minister for Transport turned the sod on the N9 Carlow bypass, part of the Dublin-Waterford motorway. The project involves construction of 19 kilometres of dual carriageway and is to be completed by 2008. The project will remove up to 9,000 vehicles a day from Carlow town, saving up to 30 minutes on peak time journeys.