Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that was spent on the interconnector, DART underground project which did not proceed; the percentage of the project that can be reused in a scenario whereby a redesign is proceeded with; if redesign work is under way; if so, the stage at which it is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13499/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Exchequer spending to end 2014 on the DART Underground Tunnel (previously known as the DART interconnector) project amounted to €44.4 million, most of which related to design, planning and railway order costs.  As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned.  The work and costs incurred to date in relation to the project will have value when the redesigned project proceeds.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has commenced work on the redesign of the tunnel in collaboration with Irish Rail and will progress this redesign work in line with available funding.  Currently a study to re-examine tunnel size options is nearing completion and the NTA will shortly be commencing an assessment to determine the optimal connection location for the DART Underground Tunnel to tie-in to the Heuston Mainline.  Other work is also ongoing in relation to tunnel variants.

Funding has been provided under the Government's current Capital Plan for work on the redesign of the tunnel and other elements of the DART Expansion Programme including for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan.