Traffic restrictions caused by Luas works end five days early

Traffic restrictions caused by Luas construction work have been lifted – five days ahead of schedule.

The anticipated working week of long delays and frustration for motorists in Dublin City Centre has been averted, thanks to round-the-clock working and underground pipes being in better condition than expected.

The Luas Cross City project team said works were less onerous than initially expected, and traffic restrictions centred on the south quays and O’Connell bridge were lifted at 6pm Monday evening.

Luas Cross City project spokeswoman Gráinne Mackin said the requirement for armour protection for services in the O’Connell Bridge area was significantly less than expected.

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“The pipes were in much better condition than they might have been,” she said.

The development is good news for private motorists, Dublin Bus, city coaches and delivery vans which had been facing lengthy delays with traffic diverted away from Aston Quay and single-lane traffic only from O’Connell Bridge into D’Olier Street, as well as single-lane traffic from Burgh Quay into D’Olier Street.

On Saturday, there were long delays on the south quays, with traffic backed up in the afternoon from O’Connell Bridge to the Seán O’Casey footbridge, 800 metres to the east.

Workmen began digging up the temporary surface at the junction of O’Connell Bridge and Burgh Quay on the bank holiday weekend and traffic heading east to west was blocked from entering Aston Quay and was diverted via Dame Street and Christchurch to Merchant’s Quay. Anecdotal accounts on Sunday night this journey was taking up to 30 minutes.

Ms Mackin said that work progressed very well and that feedback from Dublin City Council and the Garda Síochána was that motorists were following advice to stay out of the city centre.

AA Roadwatch said it has received no complaints of undue delays.