Luas Docklands (Line C1) Construction Update No. 25
LUAS RED LINE WILL SERVE DOCKLANDS FROM 3PM ON 8 DECEMBER 2009
RPA are proud to inform you that Luas Docklands will be opening on 8th December 2009. The public will be able to board the trams after 3pm.
The construction team has been working tirelessly to complete civil, electrical and systems works over the last few months. The upgrading of the control systems for the existing Red Line and Green Line is complete and the Line C1 systems have been successfully commissioned. This means that Docklands Line C1 has now become part of the existing Red Line and will be referred to as the Red Line in future. The operator, Veolia Transport Ireland Ltd., has started the tram testing and driver training on the new extension.
So come and join the party on 8th December 2009!
HISTORY OF THE RED LINE EXTENSION DOCKLANDS LINE C1
As with all other Luas light rail projects, the Line C1 project has gone through five key stages to get to the operations phase. Below you see an outline of the different steps and milestones during the lifetime of this project
Phase 1: 2001 – 2003 Identify Route Options
Public Consultation for Luas Line C1 was launched in January 2001. This focused initially on proposals for a line which would extend the existing Luas Red Line from Busaras and Connolly east through Docklands to the proposed Point Village.
Phase 2: 2003 Route Selection
The route for Luas Line C1 was announced in November 2003. The new route provided stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and The Point.
Phase 3: 2004 - 2005 Line and Stop Design
Having selected the best overall route option based on public consultation, RPA in this phase focused on the alignment, stop locations including arrangements to ensure access to stops, related structures and concept traffic management solutions for Luas Line C1.
Phase 4: 2005 - 2006 Build and Operation Permission
RPA submitted a Railway Order Application for Luas Red Line extension Docklands Line C1 on 1st December 2005. A Public Inquiry was held in May 2006. The Minister for Transport signed the Railway Order on 18th December 2006 and it became enforceable eight weeks later in February 2007.
Phase 5: 2007- 2009 Construction
In June 2007 RPA contractors commenced the construction of the railway infrastructure in accordance with the detailed design drawings and the requirements of the Railway Order.
The construction over the last two and a half years included:
- Utility diversion works June 2007- September 2008
- Track construction May 2008 - August 2009
- George’s Dock Bridge upgrading June 2007 - September 2007
- Spencer Dock Bridge construction January 2008 – April 2009
- Civil works and stop construction May 2008 – November 2009
- Systems installation June 2009 - October 2009
- Testing and commissioning the system September 2009 - November 2009
Phase 6: End 2009 Daily Operations
Following the successful pre-operational testing of Luas Line C1, RPA will begin passenger service on the new line before Christmas 2009.
NEW DOCKLANDS ZONE, FARES, TIMETABLE and ZONE LAYOUT
Zone Layout
The new zone layout will come into use when the trams are operational. The new extension will become the 5th Zone on the Red Line called “Docklands”.
Journey Times
Journey time from The Point to Tallaght is 52 minutes. Journey time from Busaras to the Point is 6.5 minutes.
Service Frequency
The Point to Tallaght every 6.5 minutes at peak times (7.00am – 10.00am & 4.00pm – 7.00pm) and every 8 minutes at all other times. It is anticipated that 2 out of every 3 trams will be going directly from Tallaght to the Point.
Operating Hours
The Point to Tallaght starts from 5.30am to 0.30am Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 0.30am on Saturdays, 7.00am to 11.30pm on Sundays and 7.00am to 0.30am on Bank Holidays.
Who To Contact
The Luas Customer Care will be there for you to advise you on your best ticket choice, to answer any questions or queries and to ensure you have a pleasant journey on Luas.
For further information please check
Web: www.luas.ie
Email: info@luas.ie
Freephone: 1800 300 604
LUAS DOCKLANDS – IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmentally friendly: Less air and noise pollution than vehicular traffic.
Less congestion: The Luas network aims to take millions of car journeys off the road over the coming years
Better Access: Luas will give better access to communities and services for all including residents, workers, shoppers, visitors, tourists, concert and conference patrons.
KEEP IT SAFE - GENERAL TRAFFIC RULES ALONG THE LUAS LINES
For Vehicles
- When turning right from Mayor Street, please note trams approaching from behind or from ahead.
- When entering onto Mayor Street please watch for trams approaching from either direction.
- Please respect the right of way of the tram.
- Clamping will be in operation on the 24hr loading bays and restricted parking areas.
- Please use taxi ranks, disabled parking spaces, and parking bays correctly.
- Yellow junction boxes, car parks entrances, drive ways and emergency vehicle routes must be kept clear at all times.
- Please adhere to all road and tram, traffic signalling and road signs.
For Bicycles
- Do not cycle in tram lanes.
- Please adhere to all road and tram traffic signalling and road signs.
- Please take time to stop, LOOK LEFT AND RIGHT, and listen for horns and warning bells from approaching trams before crossing.
When crossing the tracks :
- Please pay attention to cross the tracks as close to a right angle as possible to avoid the bicycle wheel getting caught in the Luas tracks.
- Prepare to cross well in advance and take time to cross.
- Please be alert in wet and icy weather. Tram tracks can be slippery.
For Pedestrians
- Please adhere to all road and tram traffic signalling and road signs.
- Please take time to stop, LOOK LEFT AND RIGHT, and listen for horns and warning bells from approaching trams before crossing.
- Please take special care when wearing headphones or while using mobile phones as they may distract you.
- Please use the designated pedestrian crossing points at the stops and junctions correctly.
- Please stay clear of overhead electricity cables.
ABOUT THE DOCKLANDS LINE - DID YOU KNOW THAT ….
The old cobbles from Mayor Street Lower have been, taken up, cleaned, split and re-used between the tracks to maintain the historic character of the Docklands area.
The Spencer Dock Luas Bridge won the Best Structural Design prize at a Leaf (Leading European Architects Forum) Awards 2009.
When standing at The Point Stop you can see the Dublin Spire to the west while being a stone’s throw away from the Irish Sea directly east.
When standing at Spencer Dock Stop watching the Luas leave in the direction of Tallaght, the tram will disappear for a short moment after going down the Spencer Dock Luas Bridge and while crossing Guild Street. Luas will then suddenly re-appear in Mayor Street Lower.
THANK YOU
RPA would like to thank everyone involved over the last few years to bring this project to completion. A special thanks to the residents, businesses, commuters and retailers in the Docklands area and we hope you enjoy the convenience of this new service.
Click here to view or download Luas Docklands (Line C1) Construction Update No. 25
Click here to find out more on the launch of Luas Docklands (Line C1)