Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding concerning the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction of the Dublin Port tunnel project was procured by Dublin City Council and funded through the NRA. I understand from the NRA that the estimated final outturn cost of the tunnel remains at €751 million.

The completion estimate for the Dublin Port tunnel is significantly higher than some earlier cost estimates frequently quoted. Many of the latter figures relate to earlier tunnel proposals, which are radically different from the tunnel as constructed. The tunnel was lengthened for environmental reasons, changed to double-bore to double capacity, and changed in design otherwise to reflect current safety requirements.

The twofold purpose of the port tunnel and the HGV management strategy, which goes with it, is to improve the flow of goods to and from Dublin Port and to remove heavy goods vehicles from the city streets. To date, the operation of both the tunnel and the strategy has made good progress in terms of both these objectives.

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