Dublin's Port Tunnel is open to private cars for the first time today. The tunnel was opened for use by all vehicles at 6am today.
Drivers will have to pay a toll ranging from € 3 to €12 and applies to cars, taxis, motorcycles, vans and light commercial vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and under.
The tunnel will remain closed at night for a number of weeks to allow for completion of "final systems callibarations and testing".
The city council hopes however that the tunnel will be fully operation in about three weeks time when the heavy goods vehicle ban comes into effect in the city centre. Charges vary according to the time of day or night and direction of travel as the aim is to deter morning city-bound commuters from using the tunnel , with similar intention for the outbound commuters in the evening.
According to the city council nearly 6000 heavy goods vehicles are already using Dublin Port Tunnel to travel between Dublin Port and the National Roads Network on a daily basis.
The council's HGV Strategy on the banning of HGV's from the 19th February within the cordon area, will also increase in the number of goods vehicles using the Port Tunnel . The council said the ban will "make the city more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and other motorists.
"Drivers using the Dublin Port Tunnel are advised to switch on dipped headlights and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
The maximum speed limit inside the Tunnel is 80km/h.