Question on the Luas Cross City Project

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when construction is due to commence on the LUAS Cross City project; if there is a proposed completion date; the number of new jobs this project will create in 2013; if he foresees further LUAS project extensions toward Dublin North; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Answered by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Leo Varadkar .
 
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the proposed Luas Cross City project.
 
Luas Cross City Line is a priority project under the Government’s 5-year capital plan – Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 – Medium Term Exchequer Framework.  In November 2012, following consideration by Government, I asked the NTA and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with the procurement and contractual arrangements so that the enabling works for the project would commence mid-2013.
 
I understand that a building survey contract is now underway. Following the recent award of the two Cellars Infill and Investigation Contracts,  works commenced this week which will locate, and where necessary infill, cellars which may be under footpaths and road ways along the route. The contract for the Heritage Works Contract is scheduled for award shortly and initial works are planned for September 2013. Works on the Utility Diversions Contract are also planned to commence in September 2013. Procurement for the main contract will commence in mid-2014 with main construction works due to start in early 2015. The target date for commencement of services is end-2017.
 
The NTA are consulting with business representatives in the Dawson Street area with regard to the re-instatement of a northbound stop on Dawson Street. A report on possible locations for a proposed stop is expected to be available in late-July 2013.

The new project will create up to 800 jobs during the construction phase with a further 60 permanent jobs on completion. A breakdown by year is not available.

There are no plans in the current Capital Programme to further extend the Luas lines. However, the NTA is currently preparing an Integrated Implementation Plan for investment to 2018 in the GDA as required under the DTA Act 2008. This plan will address the investment needs of the Area to 2018 based on available funding and will be subject to public consultation later this year.