Work on Port Tunnel halted by subsidence
Work on the most expensive road project in Ireland was halted after subsidence was reported in the area, it emerged today.
Rail authorities ordered the suspension of work on the €600m Dublin Port Tunnel amid safety fears for railway lines around Fairview Park.
“Two incidents have happened in the last week and a half that have caused us to issue this instruction to stop work under the railway,” rail spokesman Barry Kenny said.
He said beams had collapsed at one point and there had also been subsidence of the tunnel floor.
Although there was no danger to the railway line or to trains travelling through, work was halted as investigations were carried out.
“The two issues were of concern to us given that the responsibility for rail safety rests with us,” he said.
He said an investigation was now under way but gave no indication to how long the suspension would last.
It was recently reported that the overall cost had risen to €625m making it the most expensive major road project to be carried out in the State.
The 2.8 mile twin tunnel will function as a dual-carriageway between the M1 and a toll plaza adjoining East Wall Road.
