August 2006

Delivery of Transport 21

The following developments on delivery of Transport 21 have taken place in the month of August 2006.


Luas / Metro

• Sandyford – Cherrywood Luas Extension
  On 14 August 2006, the Minister for Transport signed the Railway Order for the Sandyford – Cherrywood Luas extension. In doing so, the Minister accepted the conditions recommended in the Inspector's report and these have been incorporated into the Railway Order. It is expected that construction contracts will be awarded by end 2006, for commencement in 2007 and completion by 2010.
  
  
• Docklands Luas Extension
  The report of the Inspector appointed to conduct the Public Inquiry on the RPA’s application for a Railway Order for the extension of Luas to Dublin Docklands was published on 6 August 2006. The Minister for Transport is considering the report and other submissions made and will make a decision on the Railway Order application shortly.
  
  
• Citywest Luas Extension
  A further public consultation on this project was launched in August 2006 concerning a new proposed terminus at Garter Lane, involving an extra 0.8 kilometres of Luas track (The original public consultation, which was launched in February 2006, concerned an extension terminating at Fortunestown Lane).
  
  
• Cherrywood – Bray Environs Luas Extension
  On 14 August 2006, a public consultation process was launched concerning 3 route options for Cherrywood to Bray Environs Luas extension. The public consultation process will provide an opportunity for interested parties and individuals to make their opinions known and influence the precise route of this Luas extension.
  
  

Heavy Rail

• Kildare Rail Project
  On 13 August 2006, the Minister for Transport announced his decision to grant the Railway Order for this project. The Railway Order will allow Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the land acquisition and construction of new tracks and stations along the route between Hazelhatch and Heuston station.
  

National Roads

• N7 Naas Road Widening
  The Minister for Transport officially opened the upgraded N7 Naas Road on 15 August 2006. This project involved the upgrading of 5.4km of the N7 between Rathcoole and the county boundary and the improvement of 8.75km of the N7 from the county boundary to the start of the M7 Naas By-Pass.
  
  
• N52 Mullingar Eastern Bypass
  On 4 August 2006, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher TD, officially opened this eastern bypass of Mullingar. The project involved the construction of a 3.2 kilometre North - South connection between the N52 Mullingar – Belvedere scheme and the existing roundabout in Marlinstown, located off the existing N4 Mullingar Bypass and a 1.7 kilometre East – West connection to the existing N52 in Lynn, south of Mullingar.