Shorter, more direct routes via College Green are emerging as the preferred options for connecting the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines in Dublin city centre, rather than a longer route via Merrion Square.
On the second and final "open day" for public consultation on the options, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) made it clear yesterday that there would be "no impact" on the railings of Trinity College, even if a route via Nassau Street was chosen.
It also revealed that a survey of passengers on the two existing Luas lines late last year had found 94 per cent support for linking them up, with most respondents saying they wanted a route that would serve Trinity and the Grafton Street shopping area.
Those using the Sandyford line strongly favoured the link because it would bring them farther into the city centre as well as allowing them to make use of the Tallaght line, particularly because it would give access to Heuston and Connolly stations.
Jim Kilfeather, project manager for "Line BX" - as the RPA calls it - conceded there were "a lot of disadvantages" with route option B via Merrion Square, including its 2.17km (1.35 miles) length, which would make it more expensive to build.
By running past Pearse Station, it would "mirror" the proposed underground rail interconnector between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock - one of the key strategic elements of the Government's €34.4 billion Transport 21 investment programme.
Mr Kilfeather also pointed out that one of the successes of the two existing Luas lines was that they attract passengers throughout the day, for shopping and other activities, whereas Merrion Square is largely a "business zone" for commuters.
The original route - option A - would be the shortest, at 1.24km. This would run via Dawson Street, Nassau Street, Grafton Street Lower, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O'Connell Bridge, linking up with the Tallaght line at Abbey Street.
This was the section of Luas abandoned by the Government in May 1998 because ministers feared a backlash from motorists if traffic lanes were removed from Dawson Street. As a result, the RPA had to build two free-standing light rail lines.
One of the other possible routes finding favour is option D, which would have the trams running around Trinity College via Nassau Street, College Green and College Street, and then via Hawkins Street across the river to Marlborough Street.
Mr Kilfeather said this would "give a lift" to run-down Marlborough Street and provide an opportunity to build an "iconic bridge" to carry trams over the Liffey.
Option D, at 1.37km, would be slightly longer than the shortest route (A) and would therefore cost more to construct.
But the RPA has expressed confidence that the BX project can be delivered at less than €100 million, whatever route is chosen.
Option C, via South Great George's Street, would have merit in terms of urban revitalisation.
Option E, with an inbound line on Dawson Street and an outbound line on Kildare Street, would add 400m (1,312ft) of construction and would also restrict traffic capacity on Kildare Street. It would be more costly because of the duplication.
March 15th has been set as the final day for submissions on the options. Construction would start before the end of 2008 and take up to 2½ years to complete.
