THE operators of Dublin’s Luas have unveiled a series of pictures that show progress in the works ahead of the opening of the new Cross City line.
With the line expected to be fully operational in 12 weeks’ time, the operators have also appealed for motorists and other road users to avoid parking illegally on the route.
Earlier testing of the sytem was impeded by cars and delivery vans blocking the tracks during tram operating tests.
“The Luas Cross City project is nearly complete and passenger services are due to commence in 12 weeks’ time,” the company stated last week.
“The driver training phase has commenced with trams travelling through the city daily.
“You can now see how the city is looking in our latest photographs (www.luascrosscity.ie/progress-of-the-project) with heritage footpaths and kerbs reinstated and new granite paving and carriageways resurfaced.”
The statement adds: “Trams are now running daily. Please do not park on tram tracks or block streets in which trams are running. Vehicles will be towed.”
“We did anticipate some problems with illegal parking at the start,” a Luas spokesperson said previously.
Gráinne Mackin, communications director for the project, said the tram tests were interrupted several times when drivers met vehicles parked illegally on the tracks.
She said this was an issue as morning and evening peak-time testing of trams began on the line that will run through the city centre from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge in Cabra from December.
“We are in the bedding-in period and people are on a learning curve, so we did anticipate there were would be some problems with illegal parking at the start,” she said.
“However, daily testing, every 15 to 20 minutes, from Monday to Friday, is now part and parcel of the city, so it is very important that people don’t block the line. It’s not viable and it’s not allowed.”
Last month, construction workers placed notices on cars parked on the tracks around St Stephen’s Green, warning them of similar infringements.
Graeme McQueen, of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the “purpose of the testing process is to catch this problem” and he felt that “communication between Luas Cross City and the businesses” had been good.
He said there now appeared to be “a job of work” in explaining to the lorry and delivery van drivers where they could pull up.
“There is a job to explain where deliveries can still happen and it is going to be more difficult,” he said.
“It has been a slow job because it is not easy, but we are coming out the far side now and the work is to entice people back into the city.”
The new line will have 13 stops, with eight of these in core city centre area.
It will take 21 minutes to travel the 5.9km from Broombridge station to St Stephen’s Green.
The project is costing €368m – one of the largest capital investment projects being undertaken by the Government.
The Cross City line will become the Green line upon completion.
