October 2006

Delivery of Transport 21

The following developments took place in October.


LUAS / METRO 

• Metro North
  
  On the 19 October 2006, the Minister for Transport announced details of the selected route for the new Metro North line which will run from Dublin city centre to north of Swords in County Dublin. The 17-kilometre route was chosen under specific evaluation criteria and following a detailed Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) public consultation, which involved the consideration of four possible route options.
  The next step in the Metro project will involve work on progressing the design of the route and stations and the preparation of a Railway Order application by the RPA.
   
• Luas extension to Cherrywood
  
  On 6th October 2006, a third party applied to the High Court challenging the grant of the Railway Order to the Railway Procurement Agency for the Luas extension to Cherrywood and seeking leave to apply for a judicial review.
  
  The application has now been granted and the issue is down for mention in the High Court on 13th November with a view to fixing a date in January for the full hearing. (January would be the earliest that could be hoped for in terms of the High Court schedule).

HEAVY RAIL 

• Cork Commuter Rail
  
  The Public Inquiry into the Glounthane - Midleton took place between 31 October and 3 November 2006. The inspector’s report is now awaited before the Minister makes a decision on the grant of a Railway Order. The proposal involves the reopening of the rail line to Midleton, with stations at Carrigtwohill and Midleton. 
  
  
•  Portlaoise Traincare Depot
  
  Excavation works commenced on 23 October on a new train care maintenance depot. The project is due to be completed in February 2008. 
  
   

   

ROADS 

• M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy By Pass
  
  The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, TD, opened the M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy Bypass on 2nd October 2006. Completed eight months ahead of schedule, the Bypass provides motorists with 33km of continuous motorway/high quality dual carriageway from the Dunkettle roundabout outside Cork City to north of Fermoy.
  
  
• N25/N27 Kinsale Road Interchange
  
  Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment opened the N25/N27 Kinsale Road Interchange on the 9th October. This new interchange is a vital part of Cork's national road infrastructure in terms of the country's continued economic development, and will benefit all road users, including private, commercial and tourists by improving service and access along this strategic route including access to Cork airport.
  
  
• N11 Kilpedder/Delgany Interchange
  
  On the 16 October the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government Dick Roche turned the sod for the €34.6m Kilpedder/Delgany Interchange on the N11. When the interchange is complete it will provide for safe and efficient movement of traffic on the main Dublin /Wexford artery and for local traffic.
  
  The provision of this interchange will remove a substantial number of vehicles from Delgany village estimated at 25% of the current traffic levels. 
  
  
•  M8/N8 Cullahill to Cashel
  
  On the 5th October 2006 the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, TD, turned the sod in Twomileborris, County Tipperary on the longest road project ever to be undertaken in the State. The development known as the M8/N8 Cullahill to Cashel Road Project, comprises 10.5 kms of motorway between Cullahill in County Laois and Urlingford in County Kilkenny and 29 kms of dual carriageway between Urlingford and Cashel in South Tipperary. 
  
  
•  N7 Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2
  
  The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, TD, turned the sod on the Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2 (Shannon tunnel) on Thursday 26th October 2006. The project comprises 10kms of dual carriageway and 900m of Shannon tunnel and is due to be completed in 2010.