Mr Donal Mangan, director of the Luas project, said yesterday he was pleased with progress. "We are already a third of the way through our programme thanks to the assistance we're getting from everyone," he said.
The first phase of preparatory works, mainly the diversion of gas, electricity, telecommunications, sewerage and water lines from the Luas track-bed is well under way, with the section from Tallaght to Red Cow "substantially complete".
Work on widening access routes to The Square shopping centre in Tallaght will be completed in March. Bord Gais has also begun diverting the main Cork-Dublin gas pipeline from Suir Road bridge to facilitate Line A on Davitt Road in Inchicore.
Steevens' Lane, adjoining Heuston Station, remains closed while work is progressing on the diversion of water mains and telecoms cables. Following the end of Operation Freeflow next month, the remaining works on Heuston Bridge will be completed.
Utility diversions from Grand Parade to St Stephen's Green, on the route of Line B, are also in progress. Preparatory work on the old Harcourt Street railway line is well advanced and the foundations of Taney Bridge are expected to start early in the new year.
Civil works at the ESB sub-station for Line A at Arran Quay Terrace, off Smithfield, have been completed. Planning permission for the replacement of its 10 two-storey artisan houses, which must be demolished to make room for Luas, is expected shortly.
But Mr Mangan warned that the next 12 months would be particularly difficult because of the extent of works. "Our main task will be to keep everyone informed in advance of the scale of these works," he said.
Under the terms of the light rail orders signed by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, 10 liaison committees representing residential, commercial and industrial interests have been established.