To ask the Minister for Transport if he has had success in his efforts to match the Dublin Port Tunnel with the trucks having particular regard to the anticipated difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Bernard J. Durkan.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 28th January, 2004.
Ref No: 2459/04
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan)
Reply
My Department engaged Atkins to review the feasibility, safety implications and cost of raising the height of the Dublin Port Tunnel. They were requested to review a range of options for increasing the operational height of the tunnel, their feasibility, having regard to the state of implementation of the current design and build contract and the likely additional costs and impact on the project completion date.
Given the extent of work completed to date (i.e. the first of the two bored tunnel tubes has been successfully completed and work is underway on the second) and the potential high cost and substantial delays associated with redesign and reconstruction of work already completed, the consultants were asked to prepare their report within a short timeframe.
The final report was received from Atkins on 8 December 2003. I am currently reviewing the findings of the report and have sought further information from the NRA pertaining to its conclusions.
No decision has been taken on publication of the Report.
