Vol. 575 No. 1
12 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress in regard to each of the three Luas lines; the original estimated cost in respect of each and the final anticipated cost; the original planned opening date for each and the expected operational date for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27827/03]
Considerable progress has been made in the construction of the Luas project. I understand from the RPA that construction will be completed by May 2004 for the Tallaght to Connolly Station line – lines A and C – and March 2004 for the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line, line B. This compares with the original contractual dates of October 2003 for line A and December 2003 for line B. Following a period of testing and commissioning, passenger services will begin in August 2004 for the Tallaght to Connolly line and June 2004 for the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line.
Government approval for the capital cost of €466 million – composed of €235 million for line A, €201 million for line B and €30 million for line C – for the Luas project was given in 2000, based on preliminary estimates submitted by CIE in 1999 prices. The budget was revised in February 2001 to €675 million – composed of €338 million for line A, €295 million for line B and €42 million for line C – plus a risk provision of €89 million to take account of actual competitive tender prices received, reflecting high inflation in the construction sector, higher than anticipated property acquisition costs and changes to the scope of the project, mainly related to the provision for upgrading line B to metro status.
