Port tunnel will open in April

Dub13

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/01/05/story238057.html

Engineer: Port tunnel will open in April
05/01/2006 - 12:24:46

The Dublin Port Tunnel will open in April, a senior engineer on the project insisted today.

Despite leaks on a small section of the long-awaited route, Dublin city engineer Tim Brick claimed the first trucks would begin using the 4.5-kilometre road in four months’ time.

“That is what we are targeting,” he said.

Mr Brick stressed the leaking was localised, affecting only a small section of the tunnel, and was being repaired.

“It is not a widespread problem. It has been identified as part of the quality-control checks that go on on the project,” Mr Brick said.

“It’s not a major problem.”

Video footage and an engineers’ report revealed a section of a cross passage between the two tunnels was plagued by leaks.

Mr Brick insisted it only affected an area of four square metres and that it should not delay the opening.

The senior engineer put the problem down to human error. He revealed a section of the tunnel wall should have been 300mm to 400mm thick, but there were hollows in the concrete which led to leaks.

Mr Brick said a small defective section of concrete had been removed and when it was taken out bare rock carrying water was exposed causing increased leaking.

“It’s not worrying as such. It’s more upsetting than worrying,” he told RTÉ Radio.



“Obviously you would prefer if these things don’t happen.”

Engineers are now attempting to seal fissures above the tunnel to prevent leaks. By grouting the bare rock and then replacing the flawed concrete the leaks should be prevented, Mr Brick said.

Dublin City Council, project manager, confirmed two leaks have already been repaired over the last 18 months and a third is now being repaired.

Mr Brick went on: “This was a localised area in the roof of a cross passage. It was an isolated incident and I am satisfied that the rest of the tunnel is fine, to our satisfaction.”

The long awaited tunnel, which could cost anything from €700m to €1.3bn when finished, has been dogged by controversy from day one.

The opening date was originally set for early 2005, but a series of delays have pushed it back until April 2006.

Hauliers warned engineers were making a huge mistake by not designing the route big enough to carry super trucks. The tunnel height allows for trucks of 4.65 metres but is too small to carry large HGVs of 5.5 metres.

Hundreds of residents in north Dublin have claimed damage to homes and it has been suggested claims for repairs could top €1.3m.

When complete it is hoped the tunnel will take up to 9,000 trucks from the city’s streets.

Maskhadov

Ill belive it when i see it. Its still years behind budget

Bluetonic

I'd rather it didn't open for a good few years yet to be honest. The traffic is just starting to settle down on the northern surface as the roads are put back in place.

It'll only get worse when the tunnel opens.

I am predicting the 1km of road between the Turnapin and Santry flyovers to be the accident blackspot of Ireland in 2007.

shltter

Dub13 wrote:

Port tunnel will open in April
.

And close in May for essential repairs

dowlingm

the Jack Lynch tunnel closed for repair not long after opening when traffic numbers were estimated to be at levels expected years after opening. That's what happens when you build infrastructure after it's needed rather than before *cough* interconnector *cough* navan line *cough* midleton line *cough cough cough *

murphaph

Ah come on lads, we've a 100% record on tunnels. Both of them leak.

That report above doesn't square with what I saw Mr Brick saying on the 9 o'clock news. He clearly stated the tunnel may not open until the summer. Last time I checked, April was not the summer in this part of the world.

Dub13

murphaph wrote:

That report above doesn't square with what I saw Mr Brick saying on the 9 o'clock news.

Your statement does not square seems as its only 19:20...:D

Maskhadov

That report above doesn't square with what I saw Mr Brick saying on the 9 o'clock news

What a name :P

Its slap stick construction alright. You couldnt think of a script as bad as this.

April as a date for opening is a pipe dream, August maybe there is a chance.

darkman2

Just saw that clip on RTE news. Dosnt look like a 'small leak' to me. Looks rather serious actually, a safety breach probrably. Also this is gonna cost 1.3 billion Euros now when finished:eek: :mad:

murphaph

Dub13 wrote:

Your statement does not square seems as its only 19:20...:D

Jaysus, it gets dark early.

DubTony

murphaph wrote:

Jaysus, it gets dark early.

LMAO... what a comeback.

Victor

Dub13 wrote:

Despite leaks on a small section of the long-awaited route, Dublin city engineer Tim Brick claimed the first trucks would begin using the 4.5-kilometre road in four months’ time.

4 months is May, not April.

Zhane

Victor wrote:

4 months is May, not April.

January, Febuary, March....April..

Maths wasnt your strong point in school was it?:rolleyes:

corktina

5th jan to 5th may= 4 months......



all tunnels leak.....thats what pumps and drains are for.....