[PR] Spencer Dock bridge opened

Victor

Of course, its ben open to pedestrians for weeks.

http://www.rpa.ie/en/news/Pages/NEWLUASSPENCERDOCKBRIDGEOPENSTOTRAFFIC.aspx

New Luas Spencer Dock Bridge Opens To Traffic

NEW LUAS SPENCER DOCK BRIDGE OPENS TO TRAFFIC


Senator David Norris and several Edwardian characters were the first to cross the new Luas bridge at Spencer Dock today (Bloomsday). The Spencer Dock Bridge is the principal structure along the LUAS Red Line C1 extension to the Point Depot which is scheduled to open this winter. The landmark Spencer Dock Bridge will carry the LUAS across the Royal Canal and along Mayor Street. The bridge has been designed in such a way as to enable Spencer Dock to be restored to its original width and to allow the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, who have contributed to the cost of the bridge, to construct an urban linear park on either side of the canal bank.

The location of the bridge is immediately adjacent to the National Conference Centre and within close proximity to the new Samuel Beckett Bridge. The attraction of the Spencer Dock Bridge is related to its geometry, shape and context within this urban environment.

In addition to the new Luas line the bridge will carry vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge spans some 40 metres over the Royal Canal and averages 25 metres in width. The installation of the track was particularly challenging as the rails had to be suspended from special frames to enable the reinforced concrete in the track areas to be completed.

John Bruder, Managing Director, Treasury Holdings Ireland welcomed the opening of the new bridge as an exciting development for both local residents and the thousands of people who work there every day. "The vision we had for Spencer Dock is becoming a reality and the ongoing development of our docklands is vital if we are to continue to create exciting city spaces which rank alongside the best city spaces and developments internationally".

Paul Maloney, Chief Executive of the Docklands Authority said that the bridge was an important infrastructural element of the expanding Docklands area. "Once opened the Spencer Dock Bridge and the new Luas line will make a huge difference, allowing people much better access to developments in the Docklands area, particularly the Convention Centre and, of course, the 02".

Click here to view present page for Luas Docklands (Line C1).

http://www.rpa.ie/en/news/Pages/LuasDocklandsSpencerDockBridgeSpecialUpdate.aspx

Luas Docklands Spencer Dock Bridge Special Update
Luas Docklands Spencer Dock Bridge Special Update

THE LUAS SPENCER DOCK BRIDGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WILL BE PARTIALLY OPEN TO TRAFFIC FROM 16 JUNE 2009 FROM 4PM

Traffic on the new Luas Spencer Dock bridge in the different phases:

Phase 1 - 16 June from 4pm
From 4pm on 16 June 2009 the bridge will be open to westbound vehicular traffic exiting from Spencer Dock. Vehicles using this route to exit from Spencer Dock will be required to turn left (southbound) onto Guild Street in the direction of North Wall Quay.

Phase 2 – during August 2009
It is planned to open the bridge to eastbound vehicular traffic in August / September when the traffic signals are installed at the junction of Guild Street and Mayor Street. The viewing galleries will be opened at this time.
How the Spencer Dock Luas Bridge came together over the last 15 months:

* The Royal Canal bed was pumped dry to facilitate the construction of the foundations piles, bridge central piers, and construction of the temporary structure to support construction of the bridge deck. Seventy two piles (individually reinforced concrete columns) where constructed to carry the bridge.
* Building this bridge was like putting a giant jig saw puzzle together. Due to the shape and features of the bridge deck, the underside of the bridge deck was formed using a carefully assembled arrangement of 250 individually profiled expanded polystyrene blocks founded on a temporary scaffolding structure in the canal bed.
* The parapet system on the bridge is made up out of 34 unique precast parapet units which were manufactured from specially designed individual expanded polystyrene moulds to achieve the graceful sweeping curves on the bridge.
* Piecing the bridge together like a jigsaw, allowed us to achieve the bridge’s geometrically undulating soffit forming a two-dimensional (or ‘doubly’) curved surface.
* In September 2008, when all the blocks and steel reinforcement of the bridge deck were in place, the team was ready to cast the concrete bridge spine. Eighty trucks of concrete were poured during one day. This allowed for a smooth finish of the underside of the bridge deck.
* To give the bridge its strength, 500 ‘post tensioning’ steel cables were fixed into the bridge deck. The team constructed the footpaths and viewing galleries as twenty eight individual (discrete) reinforced structural concrete elements. When all the concrete in the bridge deck had cured, the 500 steel cables were tensioned and grouted. This extra strength allowed for the concrete elements to be cantilevered and gives the visually spectacular curved shapes.
* Since the Spencer Dock Bridge will carry the Luas for the Docklands Extension, tracks needed to be installed. The installation of the track was particularly challenging as the rails had to be suspended from special frames to enable the reinforced concrete in the track areas to be completed. The tracks installed over the bridge comprise a ‘floating’ track system which is essentially separated from the bridge structure by a specialist rubber mat system to minimise the noise and vibration impact when the future trams are running over the bridge.
* The bridge then received a special final surfacing layer. This surfacing product, whose main component is special stone aggregate material called carborundum, has reflective properties that sparkle in the sunlight.
* The Spencer Dock Bridge will also carry cars and pedestrians. Ten low level lights are in place to provide light for road and tram traffic. The road safety crash barriers will separate the cars from the pedestrians. These safety barriers also hold lighting units to provide lighting to the footpaths for pedestrians.
* The construction team are currently getting ready to install the poles which will carry the overhead contact system (OCS). The OCS poles will have the dual function of serving as a lighting pole and carry the power for the future Luas trams.

Some quick facts about Spencer Dock Bridge:

* The length of the bridge spans some 40m over the Royal Canal.
* The bridge is 25m wide on average.
* The middle part of 15 metres is reserved for trams and motorised vehicles
* Pedestrians will be able to walk on the fins of the manta ray shaped bridge
* Total Weight of bridge is +/- 3250 Tonnes
* Total amount of concrete is +/- 1300 m3

Click here to view or download Luas Docklands (Line C1) Spencer Dock Bridge Special Update

Click here to view the present phase of Luas Docklands (Line C1)

murphaph

RPA wrote:

Over 90 % of the rails are already in position. The remaining rails are to be delivered out of normal working hours, due to the city centre 5 axle truck ban

Oh my God. I can't believe trucks carrying criticial (well sort of) infrastructure into the city are affected by the ban. How absolutely irish.

Victor

You can get a licence to go in during the day for about €8.

The only bits that don't have track at the moment either have 2-3m holes or have been lying idle for months.

The sections of track that are incomplete are:

* The Point Stop - stop still under construction
* Georges Dock Stop - 2-3m holes
* Georges Dock brdige to Connolly Delta - the bridge itself was the first track laid, much of the delta was done in the closure last summer, the rest is half finished and has just lain there for the last six months.

There may be some very short sections of 5-10 to be completed at junctions and much of the central part of Mayor Street (Commons Street - Guild Street) just needs to be finished off.

BrianD

murphaph wrote: »

Oh my God. I can't believe trucks carrying criticial (well sort of) infrastructure into the city are affected by the ban. How absolutely irish.

I can't imagine that the truck ban caused even a second of delay. Most of the rails were bulk dropped and various points along the route and then moved by smaller equipment as needed. This could be easily done at night. In fact the best time to do it would be at night because of the relatively narrow streets and traffic during the day.

Bans apply in other European cities and they just apply for permits or do the deliveries at night. I wonder if the RPA are just trying to create excuses.

The line is really taking shape and it's interesting to see the new "street" that has evolved from Amiens to the O2.

Victor

BrianD wrote: »

The line is really taking shape and it's interesting to see the new "street" that has evolved from Amiens to the O2.

Actually, is is "new" that you should have highlighted - the street is several hundred years old, just much maligned.

mysterious

So hows trafffic in the area, is the Matt talbot bridge eased slightly, how is pearse street and neighbouring streets doing. This is giving a vital lung to this part of the city, one only has to look at the amount of pedestrian's that use the pedestrian bridge to see how much footfall crossing between the north and south quays.

It be interesting to see how the new traffic layout will affect the area. I would gather the upstream bridges would ease at peak hour as a result of this opening.:)

They need to widen guild street...

Victor

mysterious, you're thinking of the other bridge.

loyatemu

nice new bridge, I had a walk over it yesterday. However walking down from Georges dock just made me realise how ludicrously short this extension is - it can't be more than a mile.

With the new street through Spencer Dock now open you can walk from Amiens street down to the Point in around 10-15 minutes. Hardly worth spending hundreds of millions and 3 years building a 1 mile Luas extension IMO.

serfboard

loyatemu wrote: »

With the new street through Spencer Dock now open you can walk from Amiens street down to the Point in around 10-15 minutes. Hardly worth spending hundreds of millions and 3 years building a 1 mile Luas extension IMO.

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

markpb

loyatemu wrote: »

With the new street through Spencer Dock now open you can walk from Amiens street down to the Point in around 10-15 minutes. Hardly worth spending hundreds of millions and 3 years building a 1 mile Luas extension IMO.

Not only does it link Connolly with the O2 but it also links the IFSC (a major employment centre) and Spencer Dock (a major residential area) with the rest of the city centre, two train stations, a major shopping street and all the other locations out to Tallaght. It isn't just about point to point, it's about opening the city to more public transport connections. (Edit: I do agree on the price & timeline though, it does seem overkill.)

serfboard wrote: »

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

Arguably it will be a major trip generator bringing people to the O2 who will pay cash because they're not from Dublin or don't regularly use the Luas. It could raise a lot of cash for the RPA if they play their cards right.

Carawaystick

isn't there a load of development planned or being built down there?

There's loads of development on the route anyway that needs to be served by public transport.

Victor

serfboard wrote: »

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

The project is being financed, at least partially, by development contributions.

L1011

serfboard wrote: »

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

I'd suspect that its nothing of the sort - people are going to the O2 anyway, if anything the O2 is going to be subsidising the operation of the extension indirectly.

Snickers Man

Funny. I walked past it last night (about 6:30pm) and it seemed to be completely sealed off. Didn't realise I could have walked across.

I have to say in terms of aesthetics it is a beautiful bridge that will be a landmark for generations of citizens and visitors to the city. No problem spending public money on something like that.

Does anybody know do they intend to extend the LUAS out to the port? It would make sense because getting there if you are a foot passenger is a royal pain in the ass.

D'Peoples Voice

mysterious wrote: »

So hows trafffic in the area, is the Matt talbot bridge eased slightly, how is pearse street and neighbouring streets doing. This is giving a vital lung to this part of the city, one only has to look at the amount of pedestrian's that use the pedestrian bridge to see how much footfall crossing between the north and south quays.

It be interesting to see how the new traffic layout will affect the area. I would gather the upstream bridges would ease at peak hour as a result of this opening.:)

They need to widen guild street...

Mysterious, the 'cock-in-the-rock' won't be open until October,
although the bridge was put in a closed position yesterday, they have still to ensure the roads meeting the bridge are level/flush with the bridge on both sides.

Victor

Snickers Man wrote: »

Does anybody know do they intend to extend the LUAS out to the port? It would make sense because getting there if you are a foot passenger is a royal pain in the ass.

Not enough passengers and they would only arrive every few hours. Dublin Bus do provide a service to meet ferry arrivals and a modest service for port workers.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/Ferry-Connections/
http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/53/
http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/53a/

BrianD

serfboard wrote: »

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

It's very easy to insinuate this. However, as an employer in the area we are very much looking forward to the arrival of the LUAS. There is a lack of public transport access in the area and a reliance on car transportation.

There are a number or large businesses in the area along side large apartment complexes. Parking has become an issue in the area as everyone has become reliant on car transport.

Even alllowing for the O2 being a private development, in any other country they would have some sort of rail based transport serving it as a city amenity. I also suspect that they have probably paid a levy for the development of the LUAS.

monument

The bridge is not fully open to traffic. Or at least it was only one-way when I was down there on Thursday.

And here the RPA promote cycling on Luas line ... on a more serious note, the RPA mentions that the bridge is open to cyclists as if there is some cycle track on it or something. But there's not. So, along this stretch -- not just the bridge -- you'll get motorists passing out cyclists by encroaching on the track.

Looking at the Environmental Impact Statement (only place I could find maps with the full street layout), from the IFSC to the Point there seams to be a lot of shared running, about ten crossings (which will have different levels of traffic, of course), plus a few entrances to car parks etc, and, surprisingly, there's parking directly along side some of the track.

Here's some photos from when I was down there on Thursday...

Spencer Dock Bridge with the Samuel Beckett Bridge in the background:


On Spencer Dock Bridge:


Tracks just off the bridge and behind the National Conference Centre:


Spencer Dock stop:

Dirigent

serfboard wrote: »

Does anyone else share my concern that this represents a possible state subsidy to a private operator (namely the O2)?

Frankly yes. And given the fact that the DPT (current cost 750 million, final outcome will be at least 1000 million) has to effectively shut down to facilitate crowd movements at this venue, makes you wonder was it utter stupidity or brown envelopes?

Zebra3

monument wrote: »

On Spencer Dock Bridge:

Hmm, footpath on one side of bridge and cycle path on the other side?

Or far too much common sence?

Carawaystick

Zebra3 wrote: »

Hmm, footpath on one side of bridge and cycle path on the other side?

Or far too much common sence?

Or is it driving lane , tracks and coned off driving lane?
The kerb is awfully like the road colour, seems stupid to me. Also no yellow lines to prevent parking....

Judge

Victor wrote: »

Not enough passengers and they would only arrive every few hours. Dublin Bus do provide a service to meet ferry arrivals and a modest service for port workers.

While an extension to the port makes little sense (unless the port is moved and the area redeveloped), I'm surprised that a further extension to East Point hasn't been mooted. Arguably, it's already served by the Clontarf Road DART station but (a) it's a bit of a walk and (b) the Luas would serve a different set of commuters to those using DART.

L1011

Carawaystick wrote: »

Or is it driving lane , tracks and coned off driving lane?
The kerb is awfully like the road colour, seems stupid to me. Also no yellow lines to prevent parking....

I think Zebra3 is referring to the areas the other side of the barriers that are paths and could be a path and a cycleway if so configured. The main area is two driving lanes and two tracks as you state.

Zebra3

Judge wrote: »

While an extension to the port makes little sense (unless the port is moved and the area redeveloped), I'm surprised that a further extension to East Point hasn't been mooted. Arguably, it's already served by the Clontarf Road DART station but (a) it's a bit of a walk and (b) the Luas would serve a different set of commuters to those using DART.

What was mooted was an extension into Irishtown afaik.

Victor

The layout is shown on one of these drawings: http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2007/000375.html

Cyclists will share space with general traffic.

Zebra3

Victor wrote: »

The layout is shown on one of these drawings: http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2007/000375.html

Cyclists will share space with general traffic.

So much for encouraging a cycling friendly city.... :rolleyes:

lostexpectation

Victor wrote: »

The layout is shown on one of these drawings: http://www.irish-architecture.com/news/2007/000375.html

Cyclists will share space with general traffic.

It will also carry two traffic lanes as well as a pair of cycle tracks.

mysterious

Little OT, why are these buildings all the same height 8-10 storys? What is the problem with not going at least 15 storey's or 50?? The buildings on the quay where the bridge is look all uniform and look like match boxes despite such great effort in the architecture.


So how is traffic moving on the upstream bridges since they opened this one.

BrianD

Dirigent wrote: »

Frankly yes. And given the fact that the DPT (current cost 750 million, final outcome will be at least 1000 million) has to effectively shut down to facilitate crowd movements at this venue, makes you wonder was it utter stupidity or brown envelopes?

The venue predates both the DPT and the Luas and even as The Point deserved a public transport link as does the remainder of the north docklands. It's unreasonable to state that the Luas is some sort of state freebie for the owners of the venue.

I wasn't aware that the DPT closed (is the closure coincidental?) for the concerts but a large section of North Wall Quay does. Gigs generally finish at 10.30 to 10.45pm so it's hardly the end of the world Anywhere you have large gatherings - as you would expect in any vibrant city - you are going to have disruptions to the normal traffic flows.

However, one has to wonder is any closure of the DPT the result of "over the top" behaviour by the operator.

Stark

Zebra3 wrote: »

So much for encouraging a cycling friendly city.... :rolleyes:

Better to have the cycle lanes in the same space as the general traffic than forcing cyclists to weave through pedestrians. Cyclists are traffic after all.

monument

mysterious wrote: »

So how is traffic moving on the upstream bridges since they opened this one.

The Spencer Dock Bridge just crosses the canal, it looks like you're talking about the Samuel Beckett Bridge (with the harp-like cables) which isn't opened yet but crosses the river.