Ahern pledges billions to transform transport network
The biggest infrastructure plan in Irish history was announced today with a €34.4bn upgrade package for roads, railways and metro lines over the next 10 years.
The blueprint outlined an integrated transport system for Dublin including two metro lines, seven new Luas tramline projects and an underground station in the city centre.
There will be a new Atlantic Road Corridor running from Letterkenny, through Limerick and onto Waterford, while the Western Rail Corridor will be opened in stages by 2014.
Around €26.4bn in funding will come from the Exchequer, €6bn from public-private partnerships and €2bn in private finance from existing toll roads programme.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the strategy, known as Transport 21, signalled a new era for transport in the country.
“We need and deserve a first class transport system. We have all worked to generate the resources, now we must invest to continue to improve the lives of everybody. On transport, we have to move from far behind to the lead,” he said.
The new strategy to join the two Luas light rail lines in Dublin city centre by 2008 and extend the service to the Dublin dockland and Citywest.
In the same year the commuter rail service from Cork City to the nearby town of Midleton is due to open and the historic rail line between Ennis in County Clare and Athenry in County Galway will be reopened as part of Western Rail corridor.
The transport plan will also address the demand for a new underground service to bring Dublin in line with other European capitals.
Another Metro line is due to be built from St Stephen’s Green in the city centre to Swords, which will allow commuters to travel to Dublin City University, Ballymun and Dublin airport.
This is due to be completed by 2014.
This Metro line will be linked to a second line, known as Metro West, which will connect to the existing Tallaght Luas line and serve communities in Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown. The construction of this line will begin in 2010 and finish in 2012.
Transport minister Martin Cullen said the blueprint was not a wish list but an integrated system to Ireland’s evolving transport network.
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