A REPORT is being prepared by consultants on the option of putting Dublin's light rail transit (LRT) system underground in the city centre, following a commitment in the Dail last week that this alternative would be examined.
Semaly, the French transport consultants who are advising CIE on the project, are expected to produce their report by the end of July. However, it is likely to endorse the light rail system running on the streets; mainly on cost grounds, given that there is only £220 million available.
The commitment made on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Mr Lowry, to look again at putting trains underground was welcomed by the Working Party to Promote Dublin Underground LRT System.
However, the group said it was "alarmed" at reports that it could cost £60 million per mile to tunnel under the city centre, citing an equivalent figure for the proposed Dublin Port Tunnel, which was four times as large as what would be needed for Luas.
It suggested that the real cost would be "as little as £32 million" to take the Dundrum Luas line underground from Ranelagh to Broadstone, and a further £29 million to take the Tallaght line from the Grand Canal to Connolly Station, to link up with DART.
The group said this estimate "does not include the cost of the electrified tram track, nor does it include the cost of any underground stations which might be desired". But it said this could be recouped from commercial development in the stations.
However, a meeting last Friday of the LRT Monitoring Committee, which includes CIE, the Department of Transport and the European Commission, was told that the cost of building underground stations in the city centre would be prohibitively expensive.
Consultants W.S. Atkins, who are external evaluators of the project, said it would work out at "multiples of 10" compared to elsewhere. Even if the main tunnels were bored, a cut and cover operation would be required for the stations, involving extensive excavation of streets.
"Compared to what's being planned for street running LRT this would have an unbelievably devastating effect on the city centre", one Luas source said. "For example, to put a station outside Eason's would mean closing that entire side of O'Connell Street while the work was under way.
He said the cost of relocating utilities - electricity, telephone lines, gas and sewer mains - would be much greater. It would also add some £30 million to the cost of the rolling stock as well as signalling and all of this would be in addition to the £220 million already allocated for LRT.
Mr Eamonn Brady, spokesman for Luas, said the French consultants, Semaly, were "working day and night" to examine alternatives to the preferred route for the Tallaght line to avoid demolishing Arran Quay Terrace, off Smithfield, and to overcome problems in the Kilmainham area.
But Mr Tom Conway, spokesman for the Arran Quay Terrace and Coke Lane Residents Association, said the "bulldozing" of the light rail legislation through the Dail was "ominous of the manner in which LRT routes will be implemented through our community".
The association met the Daily select committee last week to emphasise its demands that the inspector who will conduct the mandatory public inquiry into Luas would be independent and funding would be provided to ensure representation of community groups.
However, the LRT project has been strongly endorsed by the Smithfield Development Association. It said short term objections to particular routes must not be allowed to deter CIE from installing light rail.
Mr Brady pointed out that the principal new element in the current light rail Bill was to strengthen its provision for public consultation. He also said that an MRBI opinion poll, to be published later this week, showed support for LRT running two to one against an underground option.
The Committee Stage of the Dail's consideration of the latest LRT Bill resumes tomorrow.
