Call for overhaul of Dublin's infrastructure

Dublin’s infrastructure is in need of a radical overhaul, an influential business organisation claimed today.

IBEC called on the Government to take urgent action to address the deepening crisis in and around the capital.

With the population forecast to increase by 800,000 by 2015, the body said it was concerned the demands on the already stretched transport system will become unmanageable.

“Dublin is the administrative and commercial capital of Ireland, yet the pressure on the region’s infrastructure at present seriously limits its ability to position itself as an internationally competitive capital city,” Matt Moran, IBEC Dublin Regional Director, said.

“The current state of infrastructure in the region not only threatens the viability of business but also has a serious impact on all those working and living in the Greater Dublin region.

“Any commuter using the roads network and experiencing the daily gridlock is aware of the major problems we face in this area.”

Mr Moran outlined a number of priority projects, which he claimed must be fast-tracked for completion without delay:

:: The Eastern Bypass to augment the existing road network, improve access to the port and relieve pressure on the M50,

:: An extra lane on the M50 to reduce worsening bottlenecks,

:: Access to the port tunnel from the M50 and M1 must be addressed now to prevent gridlock,

:: Planning for the outer ring road must now be commenced to reduce pressure on the M50 and Dublin roads,

:: The Macken Bridge must be developed to accommodate road traffic and the Luas to link up the Green and Red lines in order to improve inner city access.

Mr Moran said the waste crisis facing Dublin is also reaching critical proportions.

He said landfills in the region will reach capacity by 2007 and there was an urgent need to build the proposed thermal treatment plant in Poolbeg, provide more recycling facilities and further landfill sites.

The organisation also called for a number of urgent improvements to the public transport system, including a fast rail or metro link between Dublin Airport and the city centre and a comprehensive metro system servicing the entire region.

“Dublin’s infrastructure is already over-stretched and falls far behind the requirements of a modern European capital,” Mr Moran said.

“Based on the current population projections, this crisis is likely to worsen unless a serious attempt is made both to address the current shortfalls and to develop a coherent and efficient process for selecting and planning future projects.

“We should use this current period of economic prosperity to move our infrastructure ahead,” he added.