JJ
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The cycleway was dropped when Line B was modified to allow it to be upgraded to “Metro” standard. Basically the track centerlines were moved further apart to allow for a wider vehicle.
There are cycle parking facilities at the outlying stops on both Luas lines.
There’s also some debate going on about allowing bikes on the trams. Probably be possible off peak.
JJ
I live locally and went to look on Sunday. The high winds must have caused the crane to fail. It did not collapes as such, rather the gib split and the crane then became overbalanced so it was tottering at an angle. The rescue crane actually arrived at teh site while I was there in Sunday at about 3pm but the high winds prevented them using it.
JJGraham,
I think you are correct. During the construction of the LUAS substation in O’Connell street the works were suspended for about four weeks to allow the excavation of some walls. These included the rear walls of the houses shown on your map, a section of garden wall and part of an earlier quay wall.
JJI was at an open day last week in the National College of Ireland about Line C1. The proposed timetable is construction in 2006 with opening in 2007. However this very much depends on a number of other factors including Spencer Dock, The Macken Street Bridge and the Point Village. It also assumes the Inquiry go’s well and approval is given early on.
There’s info and a couple of photomontages on the IFSC web site.
BTW the Luas web site is finally being updated with recent construction news and some new images.
JJ
Andrew,
I visited Newcastle last year where the Metro shares track with heavy rail on a new extension to Sunderland. Theres also shared track in several cities in Germany. No EU rules against it but I think rail safety issues can be a problem.For my money Line B will never be upgraded but theres a fair chance that the link to Line A will be built. Its removal was a very spineless decision from the cabinet at the time.
What happened to Mr Brennans decision about Metro by Christmas. Maybe he’s too busy with Aer Rianta and CIE!
JJ
The old stonework from Connolly was apparently taken to the Red Cow where it was sorted and the facings for re-use were cut off and stacked. Nobody seems to know what will happen to the left-over stone.
JJ
Reclaimed stone is being used on the staircase onto Amiens Street. The wall in Harbourmaster Place as seen in the picture is new limestone ( I hear that it is imported from Poland !!!! ). Apparently only some of the old stone could be salvaged as a large part of the ramp was constructed from random rubble.
JJSpot on Disapora,
There was an old stone wall some 8m high in this position protecting the inhabitants of the IFSC. It’s still a private road in fact. The wall and railing was to “mitigate” the impact of removing the old dock wall. Issues about security, noise and general nuisance were given as reasons.As for steps in this area, I think due to railway safety this would not have worked.
The wall is being faced on both sides with new stonework so it should look pretty good( see attached ). I think the section towards the station end is far too high however.
JJ
Blue,
My recollection of the inquiry was that the owners in Harbourmater place insisted on a wall and the judge put in a requirement for one in the light rail order. There’s also a significant difference in height between Harbourmaster Place and Amiens Street.There’s a decorative railing to be installed above the wall as well.
I’ve attached another view of the balcony area looking back towards the station entrance. The final scheme will have four stretched fabric canopies overhead. You can see the vertical wall for the lift on the right of the picture.
JJ
Rory,
Just a point about the granite sets, no Southside bias, the area through the back of the Four Courts and Smithfield has been finished with granite cobbles and sets throughout as well.I’ve attached a photo taken by one of the site operatives who’s a friend, it shows the view from the “balcony”area looking back towards Busaras.
JJ
For info :
There’s an RPA Line C1 open day next Tuesday between 10am and 7pm in the National College of Ireland foyer.
There was one held before Christmas which had drawings and photomontages of the proposals.
Deatils here : http://www.ifsconline.ie
JJ
Looking forward to seeing your pictures Gabriel.
I was out in Tallaght earlier this week and saw one of the shelters had been assembled on the stop at Kingswood. Its not glazed yet for obvious reasons. See picture attached.
JJ
There’s a large scale model of the proposals in the marketing suite in Smithfield which give a good idea of what’s proposed.
JJCheck out the City Council site link below which has the local area plan. The Luas works are for a traction substation. There’s a vent shaft which will eventually be incorporated into a kiosk near the statue.
JJThe track construction allows for cross feeds of services as it can span up to 1.5 m but new services have been laid parallel to the lines which should minimise th erequirement to cross the alignment. The ducts under the track contain some services such as comms cables but most are reserved for Tram related cables. Digging up of the surface within the tram path will be prohibited.
As for the bridge at Rialto the parapets have been provided mainly to prevent road vehicles, which could collide with the parapets, ending up on the tracks below, hence the massive concrete sections. I agree that its ugly and could have been done in a more appropriate way.
JJ
With regard to the Luas extensions to Lucan, I’ve been told that the connections could be as far out as Bluebell on the Naas Road or potentially at Blackhorse.
JJSurely the new “protected” status under the planning act means that the whole of the building is protected including the interior !
I was in Heuston this week and saw some of the new works going on there. Whilst I can understand that their budgets are cut the standard of materials and finishes is very poor. False economy as well because as with Connolly it will become shabby very quickly. God help us if the same approach is taken at Busaras.
JJ
My contact in the RPA says that the design of the extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood was completed nearly a year ago but has been held up because of the Dunloe Ewart problems. They are funding half the cost on the basis of planning gain at Cherrywood. Now that Liam Carroll is involved discussions have started again.
Also the design of the extension to Point Depot is under way as well as a line out to Finglas and Lucan.
The RPA have also been discussing additional mid sections for the shorter trams rather than additional trams for the moment. Alstom the supplier are in big trouble so its possible the next set of trams could be supplied by someone else.
Also hearing strong rumours about staffing difficulties and union issues with Connex.
Seems ltheres lots happening but as I said above the RPA are very closed about their activities.
JJ
A couple of points need clarification I think.
The light rail orders were not completed until 2001. This was because of the odd decision by the Government to break the system into two separate lines and the rejection by the inquiry judge of the first proposals for Connolly ( which is why the ramp is being demolished as there was nowhere else left to go )
The Government in the form of the Dept of Transport selected the operator, not the RPA, although the RPA has to manage the contract with Connex.
The contractors were selected and the contracts signed by CIE even before the RPA as an organisation existed.
All roadworks in the city have to be agreed with the City Council in advance and the LUAS contractors are bound by any restrictions place by the council.
I have to say though that the RPA should be much more pro-active in terms of running the contract and informing the public. The web site is a joke. Gabriels updates ( whens the next one ? ) are a better indication of whats gong on.
JJ
I was in Nottingham last week where they are building a LUAS type system. In adition they are removing all pedestrian underpass’s, flattening out traffic flyovers and roundabouts and reducing dual carrageway through the city centre to single carrageways. New pedestrianised zones have been created and one retail area reputedley has the highest footfall of any city in the UK. The retail deliveries are restricted to out of hours and traders are reporting increased levels of trade as a result…..but it works as the council provides 6000 park and ride facilities on the otskirts, some dual tram and bus.
The population is only 500,000. The city centre is vibrant and lively and great to walk around. Shows what can be done with the right attitude. Stop listening to the car lobby !
JJ
