Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Transport the means by which it is intended to funnel heavy goods vehicles into the port tunnel without using the M50 or alternatively using the M50 and thereby displacing existing traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29816/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that all other trucks with the exception of super trucks will fit into the port tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29819/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 257 together.

Traffic management in general is a matter for the appropriate local authority and in the case of the M50, the city centre and in the vicinity of Dublin Port that authority is Dublin City Council. As a major new element in Dublin's road network the Dublin Port tunnel will have a considerable beneficial impact on traffic flow in the Dublin area. It will be of particular benefit in facilitating improved access to Dublin Port for HGVs while reducing HGV traffic in the city. The NRA and Dublin City Council are working to ensure that the tunnel, when open, will integrate smoothly with the existing road network. These works include a new entrance for Dublin Port and, as part of the M50 upgrade scheme, the upgrading of the M1-M50 junction and the widening of the M1 between Coolock Lane and the M50 junction to three lanes in each direction.

The NRA and Dublin City Council are also organising an interim third lane on the northbound carriageway of the M1 between Coolock Lane and the M50 junctions to provide temporary capacity increase and facilitate merging of tunnel and surface road traffic in this area prior to full improvements under the M50 upgrade scheme.

It is the view of Dublin City Council and the NRA that the Dublin Port tunnel will facilitate almost all of the HGV traffic currently using Dublin Port. The issue of routing vehicles unable to use the tunnel through the city will be addressed in the context of the heavy goods vehicle management strategy being prepared by Dublin City Council.

My Department's formal role will be to put in place the necessary regulatory framework relating to traffic and parking management and road signage to support the strategy. In addition, my Department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council as the strategy is finalised, so that I may be assured that the primary objective of the Dublin Port tunnel — to provide a high quality access route to Dublin Port for heavy goods vehicles — is achieved in a manner which maximises the overall traffic benefit of the tunnel.