Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the Luas project, including the Red Cow interchange; the extent to which cost overruns are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12536/04]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the Luas intersection at the Red Cow roundabout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/04]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 103 and 105 together.

The position in regard to the N7-M50 junction — Red Cow roundabout — is that the National Roads Authority and South Dublin County Council are currently preparing plans, including a motorway order and environmental impact statement, for the upgrade of the junction as part of the overall upgrade of the M50. The upgrade works at the Red Cow interchange are intended to remove as much traffic as possible from the signal controlled environment through the provision of additional structures and free flow slips that are separated from other traffic movements. This will significantly increase the overall capacity of the interchange and reduce the Luas-car interface so that both the road and Luas network will have increased capacity to maintain a satisfactory level of service.

The proposed works will reduce the volume of traffic interfacing with Luas, that is, traffic crossed by Luas, by more than half. Subject to satisfactory progress in planning and design and securing An Bord Pleanála approval, it is expected that work on upgrading the Red Cow interchange will commence in spring 2005 and be completed by spring 2007. I understand from the NRA that the estimated cost of the upgrade of the M50 is €590 million, 2002 prices, including a provision of €37 million for the upgrade of the N7-M50 junction. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that such an upgrade represents the best technical solution for the Red Cow interchange.

In the meantime, both the Railway Procurement Agency and Dublin Transportation Office are satisfied that Luas, despite the current unsatisfactory traffic conditions at the Red Cow junction, will be able to operate satisfactorily using existing traffic signal sequences, pending the upgrade of the junction as part of the M50 upgrade project. The trams are driven in much the same way as a car or a bus in that tram drivers yield to other traffic if they are confronted with a red light.

Luas passenger services will commence on the Tallaght line end of August 2004 and on the Sandyford line end of June 2004. The RPA has informed me that the project is within the €691 budget and €84 million risk provision as notified to the Government in 2002.