Work begins on Dublin's Luas Cross City line

Utility services make way for tram tracks

Construction work for Dublin's newest light rail link, the Luas Cross City line, has commenced at six sites in the city centre from St Stephen’s Green to Parnell Street.

The new tram link will eventually connect the Green line at St Stephen’s Green on the south side of the city with the Red line at O’Connell St, across the river Liffey. From there it will continue northwards and connect with the tram line in Cabra.

The “utility diversion project” involves moving gas, electricity and water pipes away from the path of the tram, resulting in temporary traffic restrictions, closure of footpaths and the relocation of a number of taxi ranks.

The work is estimated to take 12 weeks per site and once completed, the same process will be carried out on six new sites. Construction is expected to be finished by summer 2015 and the tracks should be completed by autumn 2016.

The works will result in the temporary relocation of a number of landmarks, most notably the bronze Molly Malone statue which will move from the Trinity College end of Grafton Street to outside the tourist offices on nearby St Andrew Street.

For full details on the project, including updates on the construction works, see the Luas Cross City website.