DRIVERS IN DUBLIN city centre will experience some changes due to a new traffic scheme being implemented in the Stephen’s Green area.

The changes are being brought about in advance of the utility works for Luas Cross City, the new Luas line, which are due to begin next year.

Dublin City Council said the changes will make travelling in the St Stephen’s Green area easier, and will mean less disruption when the utility works for Luas Cross City begin in 2014. They include the introduction of new right turns as well as the addition of new dublinbikes stands.

Work on the St Stephen’s Green Traffic Management Scheme will begin on 9 September and it is expected that all work will be completed by late November of this year.

It will see some of the most major changes to take place in the St Stephen’s Green area in a number of years.

Changes

The changes will include new right turns at St Stephen’s Green’s junctions with Harcourt St and Merrion Row. There will also be new cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings, while dublinbikes will expand to 40 stands.

Motorists will be able to take a right turn at Merrion Row, while there will be a double bus lane outbound, which will allow a left turn onto Leeson St and a straight ahead lane onto Earlsfort Terrace.

There will also be a new right turn from St Stephen’s Green South to St Stephen’s Green West, which will mean motorists have access to the St Stephen’s Green and Royal College of Surgeons car parks.

Michael Phillips, Director of Traffic at Dublin City Council, said that the scheme will “minimise any necessary disruptions during the Luas Cross City works and integrate the expanded Luas into the City’s traffic management”.

He also said that the new arrangements will improve access to car parks in the area and will reduce the need to use Dawson Street as a through route.

The Luas Cross City will link the two existing Luas lines, the Luas Red Line and Luas Green line.

Because of the fact that there will be a reduction in capacity for traffic on Dawson St, the new arrangements have to be put in place.

Gráinne Mackin, Director of Communications, Luas Cross City, said that as work progresses, the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council will continue to work together to ensure the least disruption to movement around the city.

The improvements will be staggered to minimise disruptions to local businesses and stakeholders. Although some disruptions will occur during the works, the public and businesses will be able to access the area and all car parks throughout the works.

Regular updates will also be published on www.dublincity.ie, and on Twitter @DubCityCouncil and @LUASCrossCity.

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