Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Wednesday opened the Dublin Port Tunnel, making it available to heavy goods vehicles and buses for journeys between the N1 at Whitehall and Dublin Port. The 4.5km tunnel, which cost €752m, was completed two years behind schedule but no one seems to be able to agree just how much it was over budget. HGVs and buses will not be subject to a toll, but when cars are eventually allowed to use it, probably late next month, they will pay a toll of between €3 and €12, depending on the time of day.
Since opening, the tunnel has experienced a few teething problems. While some trucks were allowed through after the official opening, the plan was to close the tunnel until 1:00pm. This deadline wasn't met due to the number of people attending the official opening and it was 4:15pm before the tunnel was fully operational.
On Thursday morning there were reports of congestion at Dublin Port with trucks unable to leave the area. Heavy traffic was also reported from the Dublin Quays with many trucks opting not to use the tunnel. A spokesman for Dublin Port claimed that it had not been made aware that the tunnel was closing overnight, and also blamed a mistimed traffic light for contributing to the difficulty. Dublin City Council responded by sending out a spokesman who disputed the traffic light story and who claimed that the port authority was informed that it was always the plan to close the tunnel for a number of hours each night in the initial stages. What had happened was that the traffic light was changed to give more time to traffic heading for the tunnel, but the majority wanted to go through the city and the 15 seconds allowed out of each 90 caused them to back up into the dock area.
Dublin quays were again at a standstill early on Friday as truckers coming off the ferries continued to avoid the new tunnel. It appeared that many of those heading west and south preferred to take their trucks through the city centre rather than pay the toll of up to €5.60 on the West-Link Bridge. It was also suggested that many foreign truckers were confused by the changes which had taken place. By eight o'clock the traffic problems at the Point roundabout had eased.
About Me
- Liam Ferrie
- After a career in the IT sector I spent the final 25 years of my working life, along with my wife Pauline, as online publisher to the Irish Diaspora. From 1987 onward the email version of the Irish Emigrant became a vital link with home for many Irish people who had settled overseas. In retirement I am involved with the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland. I also travel when the opportunity arises and most years Pauline and I walk a Camino to Santiago de Compostela.