DUBLIN'S proposed light rail system took another step towards realisation this week with the submission of international tenders to build the rolling stock.
There is intense competition among major engineering companies for the contract, estimated to be worth £40 million, which would provide modern trams on two lines serving Tallaght and Dundrum.
It was also learned that legislation to enable CIE to proceed with the £225 million project is in its final stages and is expected to be enacted by the Dail before the summer recess.
One of the main purposes of the new legislation is to exempt the project from planning control and instead provide for a public inquiry into CIE's proposals. This inquiry is expected to be held in early autumn. It will then be up to the Minister for Transport, Mr Lowry, to approve the project so that the preliminary works can get under way early next year.
If there is any hitch in this timetable, the CIE project team fears the project might not be completed in time to meet the end 1999 deadline for the current tranche of EU structural funds.
No details were being made available about the competitors for the rolling stock contract. According to Mr Michael Sheedy, the project manager, it was "good commercial practice" to keep the matter confidential.
He said the final outcome of the tender process would not be known for six to eight months because of "protracted negotiations" on price, specifications, design features and other issues.
"Basically, we're in a negotiation process and there will be hard bargaining later on after we've decided on a short list. No design as submitted would be totally acceptable to us, and we'll be asking for additional features.
CIE first advertised for tenders to build the light rail rolling stock in an EU journal over a year ago. Tender documentation was issued last October, with Monday of this week as the deadline for making submissions.
Last week CIE brought a number of journalists to the French provincial cities of Strasbourg and Grenoble to see their light rail systems, known for their exceptional design standards.
Mr Tom Coffey, chief executive of the City Centre Business Association, who was also on the visit, suggested that an extra £10 million should be allocated to ensure that Dublin's light rail system met the same standards.
