The Railway Procurement Agency's plan for the extension of Luas to the docklands should cost about 50 million - or €31,000 a metre - and could be completed by 2006.
Outlining a timetable for the development of the link between Connolly Station, via the Financial Services Centre and Spencer Dock, Mr Frank Allen, chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency, said a decision on the alignment could be made this summer, with an application to the Minister for Transport for a Railway Order by spring of 2004. A public inquiry could begin in 2004 and construction could be complete by 2006. Mr Allen said this represented "an achievable schedule".
Mr Allen said public scepticism about Luas is gradually decreasing because 70 to 80 per cent of the work is complete and the public could see the scheme coming together. He said Line B to Sandyford was still on target for completion by March of 2004 with the route open to the public by June. Line A to Tallaght would be completed about May of that year with an operational date of July or August.