Luas disruption will be finished by Christmas, say rail authorities

MAJOR construction work on the development of Luas in Dublin, which has caused severe disruption to city centre traders, is due to finish by the end of December.

The Rail Procurement Agency has vowed that all heavy engineering works related to the project are on-target, under-budget and due to be completed by Christmas.

The construction stage of the two lines connecting the city centre with Tallaght and Sandyford has caused serious traffic chaos in Dublin over the past year, leading to sharp criticism of the project by business leaders.

It is understood that several traders from Harcourt Street and Middle Abbey Street are considering legal action to obtain compensation for the loss of business suffered.

The RPA has acknowledged the patience and understanding shown by all people affected by the roadworks, especially the business community. However, it has ruled out paying any compensation to traders.

“We are now over the peak of the heavy construction work and it is now a run-in to completion of both lines and the bringing into service of the first trams,” said RPA chief executive, Frank Allen. “We appreciate that the heavy construction work that is coming to a close has brought problems for motorists, pedestrians and businesspeople, but the good news is that the worst is over and we will be out of all of those areas by Christmas.”

Last week, however, Mr Allen admitted before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that he was dissatisfied with certain elements of work done by contractors on Luas.

He explained that the project involved the “mammoth task” of moving underground services, including electricity and telecommunication cables, from the path of the tramways.

Installation of the tramlines is due to commence in the coming weeks, with the rails on Middle Abbey Street due to be in place by the end of August.

Work will also begin shortly on the erection of the overhead cables which will supply power to the Luas system.

The Sandyford line is expected to be operational by June 2004, with the Tallaght line coming into service two months later.