[1-11-2007] Yet another interconnector reannouncement

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Examiner

Dempsey eyes 2011 rail tunnel completion

By Harry McGee, Political Editor
TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey is planning to bring forward plans for an ambitious rail tunnel linking Heuston Station to St Stephen’s Green, the docklands and Pearse Street Station.

He is to make the project an immediate priority in his department, the Irish Examiner has established.

An interconnector which will link all Dublin’s main train stations and transport hubs has been described as a vital “backbone” of Transport 21 and an integrated transport system for Dublin.

Under current plans in Transport 21, the projected completion date for the Interconnector is 2015. However, in his first big change to Transport 21, it is understood Mr Dempsey is strongly of the view an earlier completion date is vital.

He wants its completion date brought forward, by a further four years, to 2011.

It would mean commencing the project at the end of 2008 or early 2009 and would also necessitate the agreement of Tánaiste Brian Cowen to release capital funds for the project. No figures have yet been released but, on the evidence of the port tunnel development, it is likely to be a billion-dollar-plus project.

Mr Dempsey’s rationale for prioritising the project is its completion will deliver:

* A second high capacity DART line through the heart of the city, a 5.2km underground line.

* Significantly increased frequency and capacity for services on the northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines — the three fastest growing population corridors in the country.

* A fully integrated rail network for the Greater Dublin area, linking all modes — DART, Commuter, Intercity, LUAS and Metro — and ensuring that suburb to suburb as well as suburb to city centre journeys can be made by a frequent, high-capacity public transport network.

* Two high capacity DART lines proposed as Balbriggan/Howth to Hazelhatch; Maynooth/Dunboyne (M3) to Bray/Greystones with DART extensions to some routes likely to be delivered in advance of the Interconnector.

* A quadrupling, to 100 million, of the current number of passenger journeys by DART and commuter rail annually.

He also subscribes to the “big bang” theory of disruption. If the interconnector and the Dublin North Metro were being constructed at the same time, it would mean traffic disruption would happen once not twice. Nevertheless, even before he seeks funding, a railway order application has to be granted. Nor is it known at this stage if Mr Dempsey will have to seek Cabinet approval for such a radical change in priorities within Transport 21. Interconnector vital backbone

Q: What is the Interconnector?

A: It is largely a tunnel that will connect the existing Northern Line to the lines running out from Heuston Station. New stations will be constructed at Docklands, St Stephens Green and High St and these will link with Pearse and Heuston Stations.

The Interconnector is considered to be the vital “backbone” of an integrated public transport system for Dublin. Currently, there are huge problems with capacity, particularly in relation to the lines connecting Pearse and Connolly Stations on either side of the Liffey. Higher capacity and more frequent services can be provided.

http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer...798-qqqx=1.asp

[ThomasJ]

The one thing I like about that article

Under current plans in Transport 21, the projected completion date for the Interconnector is 2015. However, in his first big change to Transport 21, it is understood Mr Dempsey is strongly of the view an earlier completion date is vital.

He wants its completion date brought forward, by a further four years, to 2011.

Although I think theres two chances of that happening

[sean]

Well, at least "L-plates" Dempsey is going to try to make it happen - maybe.

[ACustomer]

From the muppets who brought you the L-Plates fiasco and who preside over the non-starting-Midleton-project emerging fiasco, the very idea of them getting a huge and complex project like the Interconnector done 4 years earlier is just totally incredible, risible .... I can't find enough words to describe it.

[Mark Hennessy]

I think it has a chance of being built so, the 2011 is a load of baloney but we could be on for 2015 if it gets prioritised.

[Mark Gleeson]

Well if they got in gear 2013 is the earliest realistically

[Mark]

There is no way in hell it will be built by 2011. The stage its at at the moment well be lucky with 2015. The theory of minimising construction disruption is sound but there's far too much politics involved.

[Thomas Ralph]

Good luck.

[KSW]

If these people would get there act together it might be done, just might. Any news on new railcars on Sligo route.

[Colm R]

Apologies, for this post in advance, but I'm in a bad mood, railusers - feel my wrath.

Noel Dempsey is just trying to get back some credibility and popularity.

Disappointed with the Examiner though for not looking at the facts and seeing that this is completely impossible. The Examiner is a Cork Paper. it should know better to publish this tripe - riding on the promise of a train to Middleton.

Come 2011, will anyone stand up in the Dail, or in the media and ask Noel Dempsey where out interconnector is.

For this to happen, a massive cultural shift in the workings of politics has to happen first.

Listen everyone, the simply put, if our govenment is

- acceptiong of corruption
- complacent
- lacking of accountability
- NARROW MINDED
- just looking at the next election
- leaving me down at every possible opportunity.

When is the last time Dempsey got the bus. Has he ever been stuck on the train.

Lads we all know them. We see a cop on a motor bike speeding down a bus lane followed by a Merc, its one of them inside it skipping the traffic on their way to work.

And to be honest everyone, I'm sickened that only a few months ago, we voted them back.

I don't know if the alternative would be better. But the simple fact of the matter shows that historically, Fianna Fail get things done when they need to. Right now, they don't.

Thinking of learning German at the moment....and moving there.

[comcor]

Rather than keeping details of the Midelton fiasco in the members area, why not have it in the public forum or better still on the home page. Issue a press release with what is known. I'm sure the Irish Examiner or any other paper would be delighted to cover it, but do they know what is going on?

I can also bring them to the attention of one of the opposition TDs in Cork East who would be more than happy to raise the issue at Oireachtas level.

[Mark Gleeson]

There are no hidden details

1. Minister Cullen screwed things up by stalling the project at every turn
2. There was a problem with the tenders issued forcing a reissue