Engineer: Port tunnel will open in April

The Dublin Port Tunnel will open in April, a senior engineer on the project insisted today.

Despite leaks on a small section of the long-awaited route, Dublin city engineer Tim Brick claimed the first trucks would begin using the 4.5-kilometre road in four months’ time.

“That is what we are targeting,” he said.

Mr Brick stressed the leaking was localised, affecting only a small section of the tunnel, and was being repaired.

“It is not a widespread problem. It has been identified as part of the quality-control checks that go on on the project,” Mr Brick said.

“It’s not a major problem.”

Video footage and an engineers’ report revealed a section of a cross passage between the two tunnels was plagued by leaks.

Mr Brick insisted it only affected an area of four square metres and that it should not delay the opening.

The senior engineer put the problem down to human error. He revealed a section of the tunnel wall should have been 300mm to 400mm thick, but there were hollows in the concrete which led to leaks.

Mr Brick said a small defective section of concrete had been removed and when it was taken out bare rock carrying water was exposed causing increased leaking.

“It’s not worrying as such. It’s more upsetting than worrying,” he told RTÉ Radio.

“Obviously you would prefer if these things don’t happen.”

Engineers are now attempting to seal fissures above the tunnel to prevent leaks. By grouting the bare rock and then replacing the flawed concrete the leaks should be prevented, Mr Brick said.

Dublin City Council, project manager, confirmed two leaks have already been repaired over the last 18 months and a third is now being repaired.

Mr Brick went on: “This was a localised area in the roof of a cross passage. It was an isolated incident and I am satisfied that the rest of the tunnel is fine, to our satisfaction.”

The long awaited tunnel, which could cost anything from €700m to €1.3bn when finished, has been dogged by controversy from day one.

The opening date was originally set for early 2005, but a series of delays have pushed it back until April 2006.

Hauliers warned engineers were making a huge mistake by not designing the route big enough to carry super trucks. The tunnel height allows for trucks of 4.65 metres but is too small to carry large HGVs of 5.5 metres.

Hundreds of residents in north Dublin have claimed damage to homes and it has been suggested claims for repairs could top €1.3m.

When complete it is hoped the tunnel will take up to 9,000 trucks from the city’s streets.