The long-awaited O'Connell Street Spike is due to arrive in Dublin this morning and construction is intended to begin by tomorrow morning.
Mr Michael O'Neill, Dublin City Council's project engineer on the spire, confirmed yesterday that the first section of the spire was to begin its journey to Dublin last night.
The six sections of the spire have been constructed at Radley Engineering in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
Mr O'Neill said that whether the first section was brought into O'Connell Street today would depend on what time it reached Dublin's outskirts.
"What we have to do is try and get the slot," he said.
"If it arrives later than 6 a.m., we'll have to hold it outside Dublin.
"The guards will hold it outside the city centre until 1 a.m. and we'll bring it into O'Connell Street then."
The first section - 20.1 metres long - was due to leave Dungarvan last night for what was expected to be a journey of 10-12 hours, travelling at about 10 to 15 miles per hour.
Weather permitting, the first section will be secured in place by massive bolts into a holding plate.
When all six sections are in place it will stand some 120 metres high.
