Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposed timetable for the construction of the Luas BDX line from St Stephens Green to Broombridge; the budget allocation for the project in 2012; when he expects the line to be in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3047/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Railway Order application for BXD was submitted to An Bord Pleanala in June 2010 and a decision is awaited. While both the National Transport Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency have made some appropriate preparatory arrangements, key decisions and actions which will determine the construction start must await the outcome of the planning process.

Funding is, however, provided in my Department's capital allocations over the next five years to allow for the main construction element of Luas BXD to start in 2015. Moreover a wide variety of essential pre-construction works (design development work, geotechnical (borehole) surveys, basement/cellar infilling contracts, utility diversions, heritage works contracts, etc) will be undertaken in the prior years and there is sufficient funding in the allocations to progress these works. For 2012 the NTA have a provisional allocation of €8m set aside to commence some of these preparatory works, subject to the outcome of the planning process.

Assuming an early start in 2015 for the main works, the new line will open by the end of 2017. Other sources of appropriate funding is being examined to see if an earlier start could be facilitated.