Luas engineer to oversee new Belfast rapid transport system
The project engineer behind the Luas light rail network in Dublin is to head the team that will bring a Rapid Transit System to Belfast, it was announced today.
Ciaran de Burca has been appointed as director of the project team for the Belfast scheme, said Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy.
Mr de Burca is a chartered engineer by profession and as well as working on the Luas, was employed by Dublin City Council as project manager for the Quality Bus Network.
The minister said: “Ciaran de Búrca brings a wide range of valuable public transport experience to the Rapid Transit project.
“Under his leadership the new Rapid Transit delivery team will take forward the plans for a Rapid Transit system for Belfast.
“This project is our opportunity to create a new dynamic transportation system for the city, one that helps link people to jobs, hospitals, schools and colleges.”
The bus based transport system will connect Belfast city centre to east Belfast, west Belfast and the Titanic Quarter through a network costing around £150m (€166.66m).
Work on the network is due to begin by 2011.
Mr de Burca said he looked forward to the challenge of delivering world class rapid transport to the city and getting people out of their cars.
“I believe this new transport system will deliver a step change in the quality of public transport in Belfast and together with other department initiatives, provide a sustainable transport option which will encourage people out of their cars and into public transport thus helping to reduce congestion and emissions.”
