Pinch point on carriageway removed Project enhances bus, cycling and walking facilities on route.
Embargo, 4.30, Wednesday, 2nd September – An tArdmhéara, has today joined Minister Paschal Donohoe and representatives from the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and St. Patrick’s College to formally unveil a significant upgrade on the Drumcondra Road Upper. The project removes a pinch point and ensures continuous bus lanes are provided at that point. A significant restriction on bus movements existed directly adjacent to the Cat and Cage pub and St Patrick’s College on the Drumcondra Road Upper, which resulted in delays during the main peak periods. The project also includes the enhancement of cycling and walking facilities on the route.
The overall project cost is €3.5m which was funded by the National Transport Authority from grants provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.
An tArdmhéara, Críona Ní Dhálaigh said:
“This is an important project for Dublin and exemplifies the value of private and public organisations working together to make Dublin an easier place to get around.”
“Tá an áthas orm go bhfuil an togra tábhachtach seo réidh. Tá mé cinnte go mbeidh turas laethúil níos éasca ag muintir na cathrach tar éis an feabhsúchán seo i nDroim Chonrach.
“I am delighted to see this completed project and I know that commuters, whether travelling on foot, by bike or on public transport will benefit from the improvements. I understand that this project required substantial on-going cooperation between the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council, St Patrick’s College, St. Laurence O’Toole Diocesan Trust, and landowners and businesses in the vicinity of the works and I commend their effort.”
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, said:
“I’m delighted to see this new facility in place. As someone who is very familiar with the area I know that these changes have been a long time coming. I’m confident this upgrade is going to have a big impact on all users of this road by helping to ease traffic congestion. I have no doubt that the changes made will lead to even more cyclists using this route and also make a significant difference to bus passengers’ journey times. I’d like to congratulate the NTA, Dublin City Council, Saint Patrick’s College and all those involved in the works. We have seen a huge increase in the number of people cycling over the past decade and improvements such as this will hopefully contribute to even more people deciding to leave the car at home and opt for the bike instead.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said:
“The Swords Road Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) is one of the busiest routes in the Dublin bus network, serving both Dublin Airport and Swords with a bus travelling every 90 seconds approximately in each direction at peak time. The upgrade being unveiled today will significantly improve traffic flow in the area. It will also improve cycling facilities on the route, which feeds into our overall strategy of improving cycle lanes in Dublin.”
Professor Daire Keogh, President, St Patrick’s College said:
“Dublin City University welcomes the much needed enhancement of the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) in Drumcondra. After 150 years, St Patrick’s Campus now opens directly onto Drumcondra village, and we look forward to increased engagement with the village and our great city”.
Dublin City Council, with support of the National Transport Authority (NTA), appointed consultants RPS Consulting Engineers to prepare a design and carry other services required for the removal of the pinch point and ancillary works. The main element of the project, the Roads Work Contract, was awarded to Civils Contractor KN Network services. There works commenced in November of last year and are now substantially complete.
Professor Daire Keogh, President, St Patrick’s College; Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority; Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD and Michael Phillips, Director of Traffic and City Engineer with responsibility for Environment and Transportation, Dublin City Council Dublin.