Defective tunnel tiles to be removed

Defective acoustic tiles which have been falling off the walls of the Dublin Port Tunnel are to be removed, the National Roads Authority (NRA) has confirmed.

The tiles, which were installed along a 150m stretch at both ends of each of the twin tunnels, were intended to reduce noise levels. But according to the NRA they had little effect on the noise and when wet would fall from the walls.

Because of their "core foam" construction, the tiles would often "float" in high winds making them a potential hazard for drivers and leading to ongoing maintenance problems.

A number of drivers, alarmed at the sight of the tiles falling, had contacted media organisations and the NRA to complain. But now the NRA has had enough and a decision has been taken to replace the tiles with a ceramic paint similar to the interior of the rest of the tunnel.

NRA spokesman Seán O'Neill said the work would be carried out at night over the weekends when the tunnel is shut for scheduled maintenance. The cost of the work has not been revealed, although the spokesman said it would be borne by the "regular maintenance budget".

The spokesman also said the tunnel was experiencing an issue with regard to condensation in the stretches of tunnel which are below sea level.

Responding to questions about smog building up, Mr O'Neill said the condensation could give the impression that the air was fume- filled.

But he said the situation was regularly addresses by the tunnel operator switching the overhead fans to high speed which cleared the condensation.