The head of the National Roads Authority has denied a report claiming that the opening of Dublin's Port Tunnel has been indefinitely delayed because of leaks.
NRA chief executive Fred Barry today insisted the tunnel is usable and is not leaking. He insisted the delays in completion of the tunnel were down to ongoing checks of electronic safety equipment.
Fine Gael's Brina Hayes
The Port Tunnel has so far cost over €750 million and is two years overdue. Its original cost was estimated at around €450 million.
"What we're doing now is taking the safety control systems, testing those and getting the operators and the gardaí and the fire services all trained-up to actually operate the tunnel," he said. "We're in the last leg of the relay," Mr Barry said.
Mr Barry said the official opening of the tunnel had not been finalised. However, he estimated it may be open to traffic in under four months. "You will definitely be driving through it by Christmas," he said.
He also dismissed criticisms that followed reports in January of extensive leaks in the roof of the tunnel. "It is extraordinary that people ever thought you could build a tunnel underwater without having leaks during construction."
Fine Gael's Dublin spokesman, Senator Brian Hayes, said that even if the tunnel was not leaking, it was still hugely over budget and late.
"If the tunnel does open this November, it will coincide nicely with upgrading works on the M50, funnelling 3,000 trucks a day directly into motorway chaos," he said.
"With so many trucks heading to and from Dublin Port at the same time each day it is difficult to see how a build-up in the tunnel can be avoided," he said.