In
February 2009, RPA issued a letter to residents outlining the Preferred Route Corridor for Luas Broombridge (BXD).
Click here to view or download Luas Broombridge Residents Letter February 2009
Click here to view or download Luas Broombridge Preferred Route Corridor Map February 2009
After selecting the best overall route corridor for Luas Broombridge (Line BXD), RPA now concentrated on engineering and architectural design focusing on determining the alignment of tracks, the location, layout and integration of stops, arrangements for access to off-street stops, road crossings and related structures and possible changes to kerb lines and road traffic flows and controls necessary to facilitate safe operation of Luas services and good engineering and architectural design.
In this respect and following further engagement with stakeholders RPA initiated a further series of public consultation open days at selected venues along the route corridor commencing in the early part of 2009. Further stakeholder consultation and the availability of detailed surveys resulted in subsequent relocation of the Phibsborough Stop from north of Cabra Road to between North Circular Road and Cabra Road.
Click here to view or download Luas Broombridge Emerging Preferred Route Map May 2009
A description of the proposed stop locations on Luas Broombridge (Line BXD) now follows.
St. Stephen’s Green
The existing St. Stephen’s Green terminus stop on the Luas Green Line forms the starting point for Line BXD. The stop’s platforms will be extended northward to accommodate the possible introduction of longer trams in the future. The same approach will be adopted with all stops on Line BXD. This stop will present excellent opportunities for interchange with the proposed Metro North and Interconnector underground stations which are being developed for St. Stephen’s Green.
Dawson
The proposed stop on Dawson Street will have a staggered platform arrangement. The northbound (Broombridge direction) platform will be located on the west side of the street between South Anne Street and Duke Street. This will offer good pedestrian access via Hibernian Way into the Grafton Street retail district. The southbound (Sandyford direction) stop platform will be located between Dawson Lane and Nassau Street and close to Trinity College.
Trinity
Line BXD will cross the River Liffey from Eden Quay to Burgh Quay on the proposed Marlborough Street Public Transport Bridge. Trinity Stop forming part of the single track loop will be situated on the south side of College Street between D’Olier Street and College Green.
Westmoreland
At College Green Line BXD splits into a single track loop arrangement encompassing Westmoreland Street/O’Connell Street/Parnell Street/Marlborough Street/Hawkins St and College Street. The first stop on the northbound single track loop section will be on Westmoreland Street. The proposed single platform will be located on the east side of the street between Fleet Street and Aston Quay and will offer good interchange opportunities with the Metro North O’Connell Bridge Stop southern entrance which is proposed to be located on the west side of Westmoreland Street. This stop will also provide convenient access to Temple Bar. Additionally, the planned future Luas Lucan (Line F) will be situated in close proximity on Dame Street.
O’Connell-GPO
This single-track stop will provide convenient passenger interchange with the Luas Red Line at Abbey Stop on Lower Abbey Street and the proposed northern entrances to the Metro North O’Connell Bridge Stop. The stop’s single platform will be integrated into the centre median design and careful consideration will be given to the use of appropriate stop furniture in this sensitive and historic area.
O’Connell Upper
O’Connell Upper Stop, forming part of the single track loop, will be sited in the centre median on O’Connell Street close to the junction with Cathal Brugha Street. Again the stop design and its integration with its surroundings will be a key factor in the detailed design. This stop, like O’Connell Lower, will ensure convenient access to the surrounding retail districts.
Parnell
Parnell Stop will be located on the north side of Parnell Street east of the junction with O’Connell Street Upper. The single platform will be located on a widened footpath between Parnell Square East and Parnell Place. Further interchange opportunities are offered with Metro North where the planned station will be located on nearby Parnell Square East.
Marlborough
Marlborough Stop will be located on the single line loop on the east side of Marlborough Street between Sackville Place and Lower Abbey Street. The proposed stop platform will be conveniently located close to the Luas Red Line Abbey Stop and the significant number of bus services that use Lower Abbey Street.
Dominick
Proceeding north from O’Connell Street Upper, the proposed location for the next stop on Line BXD is on Dominick Street north of Parnell Street. This offers good access to the existing and planned local residences and the adjacent retail and commercial areas off Parnell Street.
Broadstone
Broadstone Stop will be in front of the existing Broadstone former station building although at a lower level. A carefully designed stepped arrangement will provide access to a future plaza in front of the former station building. This stop will also provide good access to the planned DIT single campus facility planned for the lands to the west and the general arrangement of the stop is being designed with this in mind as well as ensuring continued access to the existing nearby bus depots.
Grangegorman
Grangegorman Stop is a future possible stop which will be built when and if demand from the Grangegorman development dictates. It would be located in the grounds of what is currently Broadstone bus depot at the western perimeter and accessed off Grangegorman Upper.
Phibsborough
Phibsborough Stop is the first of two stops which will be situated in the old railway cutting that ran from Liffey Junction into Broadstone Station. It will be located between North Circular Road and Cabra Road in what is a narrow section of the old railway cutting. Access to the stop will be provided off both roads and will include a lift and stairs at both ends. Due to the narrow width it is likely that stop equipment such as ticket machines and ticket validators will be located at road level and that the equipment on the stop platforms will be kept to a minimum, new pedestrian crossings on North Circular Road and on Cabra Road will be provided to ensure safe access to the stop.
Cabra
This stop will be located in the railway cutting and north of Fassaugh Road. Access will be provided via a stairs and ramp. A pedestrian crossing of Fassuagh Road will be incorporated in the proposals for this area.
Broombridge
The proposed Broombridge Stop will be well located to provide good passenger interchange with Iarnrod Éireann’s Maynooth main railway line. The design of the stop is being arranged such that a future extension north to Finglas is possible.
In addition to the location and detailing of stops, the design and layout of the support arrangements for the overhead wires has commenced. Supporting overhead wires generally involves, either pole supports or fixings to buildings. In the case of the busy pedestrian environment in the city centre, emphasis is being placed on the use of building fixings where possible. The design of support arrangements is ongoing.
In addition to the stops on the line, there will be a requirement to construct substations to provide power supply for Luas Broombridge (Line BXD). Two above ground substations are required; one at Broombridge, where a light maintenance facility for trams will be constructed and a second substation at Broadstone.
Click here for the current phase in this project