Traffic chaos reported at site of Dublin Port Tunnel

Severe traffic disruption brought chaos on the M1 in Dublin this morning as construction began on the £350m Dublin Port Tunnel.

Tailbacks stretched for miles along the motorway, one of the main routes in and out of the capital.

Motorists have been advised to take alternative routes or use public transport between the Coolock interchange and Whitehall, in the north of the city.

The government hopes that when the 4km Port Tunnel is finished, it will ease traffic gridlock in central Dublin.

Engineers have estimated that if between five and 10% of motorists found an alternative route, disruption could be kept to a minimum.

However, motorists have reported major problems during morning rush hour today as traffic was reduced to one lane in both directions on a 1.5km stretch of the M1.

An estimated 1,500 vehicles travel south on the motorway each hour during peak times. Another 1,000 vehicles travel north on the road to the airport each hour.