Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount that has been spent on the Dublin Port tunnel planning and construction to date in 2005; if he will itemise the main areas of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31857/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. I am informed by the NRA that expenditure on the Dublin Port tunnel project to date is €653,066,676. The overall project budget is €751 million. The main area of expenditure on the project has been the construction work, with the main design and construct contract, awarded to Nishimatsu-Mowlem-Irishenco, being the single largest item. The next most significant item of expenditure has been the cost of acquisition of property required for the tunnel project. The final estimated cost of this aspect is €67 million.

Good progress continues to be made on the construction of the tunnel. The civil engineering work within the tunnels has been largely completed and the main focus of work has shifted to the installation of the mechanical and electrical systems which make up the safety and control features of the project. I understand from the NRA that the tunnel is expected to be open to traffic by mid-2006.