Plans for the pedestrianisation of College Green have been unveiled by Dublin City Council.
The project, which has been named 'Grow College Green', is due to begin at the end of next year. It is estimated to cost around €80 million and will involve the rerouting of a number of bus routes away from the area.
The pre-planning design for the long-talked about move to remove traffic from College Green was published by the council this afternoon.
It will see a pedestrian plaza introduced from the front of Trinity College to the George's Street junction of Dame Street.
Dublin City Council will apply for planning permission in the summer and hope to close College Green to traffic by the end of 2027 to begin the works, which they hope will be fully completed by 2029.
While buses, Luas and taxis will continue to travel past the front of Trinity College towards Nassau Street, the pedestrianisation of College Green will involve re-routing a number of other bus routes that currently travel through the Dame Street area.
The National Transport Authority recently had to make changes to new bus services it had deliberately routed away from College Green due to problems with congestion in other the parts of the city.
It said there are currently 17 bus routes which have around 900 buses each weekday operating in each direction on Dame Street between George's Street and College Green.
Access for delivery vehicles will be permitted in the area for a time in the morning via the George's Street junction.
The public consultation on these designs is open until 11 March on Engage.ie.
Dublin City Council said that the current design is "shaped and informed by an extensive programme of engagement" that began 18 months ago and included two rounds of non-statutory consultation, 2,800 written submissions and more than 100 in-person engagements with people and businesses.
DCC also said that sustainability and climate form the foundation of this design, which includes more trees, climate-resilient planting, safe cycle routes and nature-based drainage solutions.
Lord Mayor of Dublin councillor Ray McAdam said a redesigned College Green will be able to accommodate everyday activity and major cultural events.
"This project will reimagine one of our most iconic spaces as a destination for everyone, somewhere you can walk through easily, meet friends, sit in the sunshine, enjoy the buzz of the city, or simply take a breath in the middle of a busy day," he said.
Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said the project will transform how people experience the heart of Dublin city.
"From the outset, our ambition has been to create a city centre that works better for everyone, a place that is safer, greener, and more accessible, a space that feels good to spend time in," he said.
"The input we receive during this consultation will directly influence the design that we submit for planning and will ensure that this space truly serves the city for decades to come."
