Port Tunnel construction cost just over half of total expenditure
Tuesday September 12 2006
It cost €448m to physically build the tunnel. The Irish Independent has learned that the remaining €304m went on costs including construction supervision, land acquisition, insurances, legal fees, environmental reports and and pre-planning investigations.
With just weeks to go before the tunnel opens, the brakes are to be put on speeding trucks - and not on the runaway costs.
Not alone will HGVs be unable to overtake on the outside lane of the dual-carriageway, they will also face Big Brother-style checks.
More than 100 CCTV cameras are being erected along the 5.6km tunnel which will have a speed limit of 80kph.
And gardai are in top level talks with the tunnel operators about a range of speed checks.
There will be permanent Garda Traffic Corps patrols to, from and in the tunnel, it was also learned yesterday.
Full details of the 'dos and don'ts' for the Port Tunnel have just been posted on its official website, www.dublinporttunnel.ie.
This reveals that all truckers must:
* Remove sunglasses and turn on lights (dipped) before entering the tunnel.
* Not overtake on the outside lane as this is an offence in the byelaws for the tunnel.
* Will automatically be towed away if they break down or are involved in a "tip" with another vehicle to prevent gridlock.
* Make sure they have sufficient fuel for the 5.6km journey and tune into FM radio to hear any instructions the tunnel operators may issue while they are in the tunnel.
Opening
The long-awaited opening of the Tunnel is due to be announced in the coming weeks.
It is expected to take place at the end of October or early November.
The project has been dogged by delays, cost-overruns, compensation claims and controversy over water leaking in the tunnel during construction.
A spokesperson for the National Roads Authority said yesterday there would be comprehensive CCTV coverage for both operational incidents such as accidents and for erratic speed and driver behaviour.
"There will be full-time patrols by gardai on the approaches to the tunnel and in the tunnel," he added.
A Port Tunnel project spokesperson said it was possible for gardai to use the CCTV cameras but that the Garda Traffic Corps would be patrolling the tunnel.
There are four emergency lay-bys on the left of each tunnel (in opposing directions) with fire fighting niches. And on the cost of the entire tunnel project, the official website puts it at €752m.
"This is the total of the construction tender, €448m and €304m for project costs including construction supervision, land acquisition, insurances, legal fees, EIS and pre-planning investigations," it says.
- Treacy Hogan
