Cabinet approves new Dublin metro project
Wednesday, 16 January 2002 18:48
The Cabinet has given the go-ahead to the construction of a multi-billion-euro metro system for Dublin. It will link the airport and two suburbs to the city centre.
The Minister for Public Enterprise said there was considerable interest from companies in designing, constructing and operating the new system. Mary O'Rourke said that today marks the start of a process which will "result in the construction of a public transport system which will last for 100 years or more".
It represents the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the State. More than 200m passengers could be carried each year upon its completion.
The first phase of the metro is to link Dublin Airport, Blanchardstown and Shankill to the city centre. Part of it will run underground.
The process of obtaining planning permission for the metro will now get underway.
The Dublin Transportation Office is concerned about potential objections to the plans, particularly the underground section. It hopes, however, that the smooth construction of the Port Tunnel will ease fears.
The DTO hopes the first phase of the metro will be operating by 2007. Phase one development between 2000 and 2006 will cost ¤1.27bn.
The second phase should come on stream by 2016, at an estimated cost of nearly ¤6bn. The total system is set to cost more than ¤7bn.
