From November, North Dublin traffic can expect major traffic disruption over the next two years due to construction work on the Dublin Port Tunnel.
Between 1,200 and 1,600 motorists at peak hours will be affected as part of the N1/M1 road from the Coolock Interchange to Whitehall is reduced to one lane each direction from Monday November 5th.
The road works will continue for the duration of the ground level construction work which is expected to take 24 months, Dublin Corporation said today.
Work underground for the tunnel began in June at Fairview and will not affect traffic. The tunnel is expected to open in December 2004.
The 5.6 km tunnel joining the M50 to Dublin Port is hoped to take Port traffic – about 9,000 trucks a day - off the quays and out of the city, a spokeswoman for Dublin Corporation said.
Announcing the Traffic Management Plan for the tunnel’s construction, the Corporation said priority is being be placed on public transport and commuters are being urged to use bus or taxi services.
Three Northside quality bus corridors - Malahide Road, Finglas and Swords Road – will operate during the construction works.
Motorists travelling to Dublin city or airport are being urged to use alternative routes.
- Commuters travelling from or to the south/west should use the M50;
- those travelling southbound to or from the city should use the sign-posted route via the Malahide Road, Coolock and Fairview;
- Motorists travelling to or from Dublin Airport have warned to leave extra time for all journeys.
Other features of the traffic plan include:
- the southbound bus from the Coolock Interchange to Whitehall will be open throughout the road works;
- the slip road, southbound from Shantalla Bridge will only be open to public transport;
- there will be no right turn from Swords Road, southbound, to Collins Avenue, between 4pm-7pm, Monday to Friday.
Information on the traffic plan can also be found at www.dublincorp.ie or by emailing dpt@iol.ie.