Work begins to restore collapsed railway viaduct
Work to pave the way for the reconstruction of the railway viaduct which collapsed into the sea a week ago began today.
Iarnród Éireann said rocks have been brought on site to rebuild the eroded weir at the Malahide viaduct, believed to have been a significant factor in the incident.
Facilitating works at the Broadmeadow Estuary will also include filling the gap which may have undermined the pier and normalise water flows to protect adjacent piers.
Iarnród Éireann it will be three months before the new viaduct and track is complete.
A 20-metre section of the bridge, which carries more than 90 trains a day, plunged into the sea last Friday evening moments after rush hour commuter services carrying hundreds of passengers passed over it.
Heroic train driver Keith Farrelly averted tragedy when he spotted subsidence on the track and all services were suspended.
It later emerged engineers had examined the structure four days earlier when a member of the public raised concerns about erosion and markings on the piers
An initial Iarnród Éireann inquiry blamed seabed erosion, caused by recent low tides and heavy rains.
The firm said the new works will involve straightening piers under the track and installing new beams.
It vowed to protect the estuary environment, by ensuring that normal water levels and flows are maintained and sustaining the waters eco-system.
Independent experts Professor Eamon McKeogh, Professor of Hydraulics in UCC, and Dr Eric Farrell of the Geotechnical Department in TCD, are advising the company on its assessment and reconstruction of the viaduct.
Thousands of rail passengers have had their journeys in and out of the capital severely disrupted over the last week, with a special group set up to help minimise the disruption caused by commuters driving or taking buses into the city.
Meanwhile an investigation into the incident is being headed by Phil Gaffney, board member and former managing director of MTR (operators of the Hong Kong Metro).
“The committee also includes board member Michael Giblin, external consultant from the UK, John Buxton, an expert in bridge scour, and further outside expertise,” added a spokesman.
Fianna Fáil’s Michael Kennedy later called for the Dublin Port Tunnel charge to be reduced to at least 3 euro while the rail line is closed.
Dublin North TD said extra car use is inevitable and reducing the €12 toll would make it more affordable for people trying to access the city on a daily basis
“I am very concerned about the increase in traffic that is bound to be experienced when the schools are open and everyone is back to work,” said Mr Kennedy.
“The rail line was hugely popular with commuters and there can be no doubt that some traffic problems may be experienced in the coming months as a result of the closure of the train service.”
Mr Kennedy said works on the bridge should be fast tracked and carried around the clock.
He also requested that Transport Minister Noel Dempsey invite the Railway Safety Commission and Iarnród Éireann to come before the Oireachtas Transport Committee to answer questions on the incident and to consider future safety measures.
“The safety of the public cannot be compromised and inspections must be prioritised in the wake of this unfortunate incident,” he added.
