€30m per km: Work to begin on Dublin's first BusConnects corridor
The new bus corridor will go from Liffey Valley to Dublin city centre. It's the first stage of the Government's multi-billion-euro project to revolutionise bus transport in the capital, featuring buses moving on straight paths to the city centre and reducing commuting times.
Twelve bus corridors will be constructed around the city in an attempt to improve the reliability of Dublin Bus. A bus corridor for Ballymun to Finglas is also in the tender stage, and another from Tallaght and Clondalkin to the city centre is expected to begin construction next year. The first bus corridor under the BusConnects scheme will begin construction this September at an estimated cost of over € 30 million per kilometre. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Dublin Bus said yesterday that it expects the Liffey Valley project to cost €274million in total, and to take three years to complete. The project will include designated bus lanes along with bus-specific traffic signals, making it quicker for buses to travel along the corridor.
The bus corridor will span 9.2 kilometres in length, beginning on Fonthill Road and continuing through Ballyfermot and into the city centre, where it will then connect with existing transport networks.
The bus corridors aim to make Dublin Bus faster, more efficient and more reliable. It is anticipated that the scheme will see the number of passengers travelling with Dublin Bus increase by 58%. The bus corridor will span 9.2 kilometres, beginning on Fonthill Road and continuing through Ballyfermot and into the city centre, where it will then connect with existing transport networks. Pic: Shutterstock
The proposals also aim to improve cycling infrastructure across the city. The project will include the construction of dedicated footpaths and cycle lanes. This is expected to increase the number of people walking and cycling by 45%.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) also announced the creation of a new Framework Agreement with six construction companies. The NTA said this will allow it to procure contractors for bus corridors faster.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said the project was about assisting communities rather than disrupting them.
'I'm confident the NTA will continue to work closely with local residents and businesses every step of the way to ensure that the benefits of this investment are shared by all,' Mr O'Brien said.
The NTA assured the public that local consultation would be an important aspect of the project, promising that a dedicated website, phone line and email address would be made available for each scheme.
It also promised to establish local area engagement groups to 'ensure that local voices are heard, issues are addressed early, and benefits for communities are fully realised'
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