Luas Lines Linked
The new multi-million euro Luas Link up has official open, on time and on budget. The government were out in full force with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross and Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, opening the new extended line. The line re-opens part of the northsides original tram lines. The new line will like up the Green and Red Luas lines, with 13 additional stops on the northside for the the green line.
The new line will service the new DIT campus at Grangegorman and continue on to Broombridge in Cabra, connect commuters to the rail service.
Construction started in June 2013 and has delivered 5.9km of track with 13 new Luas stops taking Luas north through the city centre and on to Broombridge. The line will now become part of the Luas Green Line when passenger services start at 2pm Sat 9th Dec 2017.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "As Minister for Transport, I made the decision to go ahead with this project in back 2013 and I remember that at the time it was described as ‘a huge undertaking in uncharted territory’. But I believed it was worth doing and I knew we would get it right. So I am absolutely delighted to be here today as Taoiseach as Luas cross city service opens to passengers... Luas Cross City doesn't just link the existing lines, it is also an extension to serve the North Inner City and will regenerate the neighbourhoods through which it will pass. It will terminate at Broombridge on the Maynooth rail line thus allowing commuters from North Kildare and West Dublin to connect to Luas by train."
Minister Shane Ross said: "This is an historic day for Dublin. Over the past four years this project has developed side by side with the people who work, live and visit this city. Luas Cross City will help create a truly integrated public transport system in Dublin for the first time where a vast range of new journeys are now possible and that will also will facilitate interchange between Luas Bus, Rail and Taxi. I would like to extend my thanks to all those who have been involved in contributing to Luas Cross City, for your hard work and cooperation and for making it possible for this project to come in on time and within budget. I trust this latest addition to our public transport will encourage people to get of their cars and join in the battle to ease city centre congestion and contribute to tackling our climate change challenge."
Minister Paschal Donohoe said: "The opening of Luas Cross City (LCC) to the public today marks a significant milestone for Dublin city commuters. For the last thirteen years, since its inception in 2004, Luas has played a pivotal role in transporting people across Dublin, with more than 34 million passengers using it last year alone. That figure is set to grow by 10 million journeys per year with the advent of LCC. The fact that this project has come in on time and on budget is a testament to the hard work of the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Department of Transport and a whole host of others, who are to be applauded for their efforts."
Michael Nolan, CEO TII said: "his extension to the City’s public transport infrastructure system will transform how the Dublin connects and works. It’s important to acknowledge the collective effort undertaken by all stakeholders, residents and businesses in working with us to achieve today’s opening."
Anne Graham, CEO National Transport Authority (NTA), said: "Starting today, the capital city has a greatly enhanced Luas service. This will significantly increase the annual number of passengers making journeys on the Luas system and will open up new areas of the city to the benefits of a modern light rail system....Thanks to the commitment made by the Government, announced around the Budget in October, the NTA is now in a position to proceed with both the Metro North and Bus Connects projects. In Q1 2018, we will be making significant announcements about what those projects will mean for public transport, and how they will be delivered."
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