Five routes proposed to link Luas in city centre

Five potential routes for a Luas line connecting the Tallaght and Sandyford lines have been put out to public consultation by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.

The new line is expected to carry over five million extra passengers a year. The consultation process is one of the first major steps towards implementing the Government's national transport plan, Transport 21. All of the routes run from St Stephen's Green to O'Connell Street with city centre stops along the way.

Route A runs along Dawson Street and Nassau Street, passing Trinity College and continuing along Westmoreland Street across O'Connell Bridge, terminating before the junction of O'Connell Street and Abbey Street.

Route B will bring passengers to Merrion Square, continuing along Westland Row and Pearse Street and into Hawkins Street before crossing the River Liffey at a new bridge on to Eden Quay and into Marlborough Street to connect with Abbey Street.

Route C goes along South King Street in front of the Gaiety Theatre, out on to South Great George's Street, turning right into Dame Street before taking the same run from Westmoreland Street as Route A.

Route D takes the Dawson Street route around to the front of Trinity College, but then swings around to Hawkins Street to the proposed new bridge to Marlborough Street.

Route E proposes an inbound and an outbound line. The line splits at the junction of St Stephen's Green and Dawson Street, joining up again on Nassau Street. The outbound line takes the A Route while the inbound line goes from Nassau Street to Kildare Street before joining up at St Stephen's Green.

The preferred route will be selected within the coming months. Details at www.rpa.ie.