To ask the Minister for Transport the progress with regard to each of the three LUAS lines; if he will give the original estimated cost in respect of each and the final anticipated cost; if he will give the original planned opening date for each and the expected operational date for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Liz McManus. (Nominated by: Róisín Shortall).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 28th January, 2004.
Ref No: 2123/04
Answered by Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan)
Reply
Considerable progress has been made in the construction of the Luas project. I understand from the RPA that construction will be completed by May 2004 for the Tallaght to Connolly Station Line (Line A/C) and March 2004 for the Sandyford to St. Stephens Green Line (Line B). This compares with the original contractual dates of October 2003 for Line A and December 2003 for Line B. Following a period of testing and commissioning, passenger services will begin end of August 2004 for the Tallaght to Connolly line and end of June 2004 for the Sandyford to St. Stephens Green line.
Government approval for the capital cost of 466 million Euro (composed of 235 million Euro for Line A, 201 million Euro for Line B and 30 million Euro for Line C) for the Luas project was given in 2000, based on preliminary estimates submitted by CIE in 1999 prices.
The budget was revised in February 2001 to 675 million Euro (composed of 338 million Euro for Line A, 295 million Euro for Line B and 42 million Euro for Line C), plus a risk provision of 89 million Euro, to take account of actual competitive tender prices received, reflecting high inflation in the construction sector, higher than anticipated property acquisition costs and changes to the scope of the project, mainly related to the provision for upgrading Line B to metro status.
In December 2002 the Government noted the increase in the budget to 691 million Euro (composed of 358 million Euro for Line A, 290 million Euro for Line B and 43 million Euro for Line C), plus a risk provision of 84 million Euro. The reasons for the increase of 16 million Euro, is accounted for by the higher than anticipated costs associated with the demolition of the Connolly ramp and increases in the costs of utilities and enabling works.
The RPA have informed me that the project is within the 691 million Euro budget and risk provision, as notified to the Government in December 2002.
