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Dublin warns of regular closures for Port Tunnel
Page 16
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DUBLI:\ TRAFFIC authorities expect vehicle crashes to close the new Dublin Port Tunnel once a fortnight on average—and trainingexercises will shut it every two months.
The figures from the National Roads Authority are based on estimates of accidents such as tyre blow-outs, collisions and vehicles hitting the tunnel wall.
The Dublin Port Tunnel. which is nearly 5km long, is due to open this month: it will take trucks away from the city centre to exit routes from Dublin.
The Irish Road Haulage Association is concerned that vehicles carrying hazardous substances will be allowed to use the tunnel — it has called for petrol and chemical tankers to be banned.
Spokesman Jimmy Quinn says: "The risk of an accident is the same for a truck underground as it is overground, but the consequences of an underground accident are many. many times worse."
Hauliers are also unhappy that compulsory use of the tunnel will mean much longer journeys between the port and some of Dublin's business and industrial parks. For example, the 12km journey between the port and Sandyford industrial estate will be extended to 44km when hauliers have to go via the M50 motorway.
Overall, the extra mileage made necessary by the tunnel is expected to cost Irish hauliers €20tn a year.