A story in today's Irish Times suggests that the extension of the Luas between Stephen's Green and Abbey St. will cost around €70m. This doesn't contradict the earlier story, which estimated the cost at less than €100m.
Another story in the Irish Times describes how the best route for this extension (do we really call it a "spur"?) would be down Dawson St., along Nassau St., down Grafton St. (the non-pedestrianised bit), through College Green and O Connell Bridge to Middle Abbey St. The problem is that this route is heavily used by buses already and it may be necessary to move the railings of the College property to make room. Is the RPA1 factoring the cost of legal battles against conservationists into this plan?
Pat Rabbitte also pointed out today that a report commissioned by Ms. Mary O Rourke in 1998 recommended this route to link the two lines, which was rejected in favour of a underground "Metro" option. "There has been a number of developments since these decisions were taken" is Mr. Ahern's explanation of the change in plan.
Footnotes:
RPA: Rail Procurement Agency
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