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“WE’RE JUST USED to it” said Billy Kelly, manager of Monza Menswear on Dawson Street.
“We’ve been working in a building site for two years.”
Similar reactions can be found in many businesses up and down the thoroughfare but many are looking to the light at the end of the tunnel after years of Luas works.
Construction on the new tram lines has been as much of a feature of Dublin as the Spire on O’Connell Street and the Molly Malone, but unlike those landmarks it doesn’t always bring the money with it.
According to David Baumler, of Baumler menswear, “Tourists don’t come down the street but the Irish don’t mind.”
According to Baumler, business has been “so-so”, but maybe even a bit better than last year “because people are a bit better off”.
Work on the Luas lines has been ramping up in the last number of months as construction crews aim to make a December 2017 deadline.
The work is one the biggest engineering projects undertaken in the city in years and requires a lot of coordination. But despite best preparations, people are always going to be affected.
Some business are none too pleased with the effect the works are having on their businesses.
Garry Reilly is the owner of O’Reilly’s pub on Parnell street, where construction has been quite intense. He says it has been ongoing for the past 10 months and that business has been down as a result.
“Turnover has been down 30% [from this time last year] with the works outside” said O’Reilly.
[There are] constant complaints about noise outside, no sound barriers are used… dust everywhere, the carpets are ruined.
Games in Croke Park bring huge custom in the bar but O’Reilly says that the money he takes in on these usually busy days is down as much as 50%.
He, with a number of other business along Parnell Street, have voiced their complaints to Luas and local representatives about the works.
T O’Brennans pub on Dominick St has similar issues. The business was temporarily blocked in by the construction.
T O Brennans / TwitterMassive thanks to @Luas for the consideration, blocked on both sides. Doors locked, shutters down.RT please WERE STILL OPEN !!!! pic.twitter.com/eXWzEN4GfJ
— T O Brennans (@T_O_Brennans) February 15, 2017
Luas was contacted about the issue and the problem was quickly resolved, but not before the pub made the best of the situation with some social media posts.
T O Brennans / TwitterWe have everything you need for a great night out out, including safety gear #ambushedbyLuas pic.twitter.com/0o18fgpMl2
— T O Brennans (@T_O_Brennans) February 16, 2017
The first gauge of the new tracks is expected to take place in June, where one tram is sent down all the tracks slowly to test out every nook and cranny. All going well, further testing and driver training is scheduled for August and September.
There is a sense now that although the current situation is a hassle to deal with it, the future benefits will be worth it.
“I think at the end of it, the reward at the end are going to be huge,” said Kelly.
Graeme McQueen of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce stresses that although businesses might have difficulties at the moment, the future benefits will be worth it.
“We’ve been hearing from companies, the general line from our members is short-term pain for long-term gain,” said McQueen.
“Everybody is looking for the finish line so the city can back to normal.”
McQueen said that there are not many members of the Chamber of Commerce on Parnell Street but he believes that areas such as these can benefit the most from the Luas going in.
“The businesses that are suffering the most at the moment but they are the ones that will benefit the most,” he said.
“It is vital to get the works completed by the start of December, we can’t afford another Christmas where retailers are being hit.”
Construction on the rest of the Luas infrastructure will continue for the next several months as electrical power, signal controls and other systems are installed across the lines – all of which is due to take up until September. During this time, historical works that were removed from locations to make room for the Luas will be reinstated.
With all going to plan testing of the lines will take up much of the latter half of 2017.
The Luas works have become an annoying mainstay in the city, and for many business around the city centre, the end can’t come quick enough.
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Hopefully this work will be finished before Xmas as the city centre has been a congested hellhole for ages
This project should have been phased approach. They should not have been able to dig up an area without finishing it first then moved on. A main Street in the city centre dug up for two years is bloody ridiculous in this day an age. This tender should have stipulated that the city centre was to be done in 6 months. Fecking joke taking 3 years to lay out a tram line.
Dublin City Centre looks worse than Belfast ever did during the troubles..
Yeah and I can’t wait for the traffic to clear and it can just be a hellhole again.
It’s amazing how cities are built easily and economically..the architect for Limerick designed New York..all square and easy. Bet don’t mind that. London..all whole series of fabulous houses, secondary houses, winding network of roads, bombing, world war repercussions..yada yada yada..can build the most amazing underground rail system years before this technology was expected. And then comes along the Irish, we used to be the best, the teacher and trainer..we have millions all around the world WANT to be Irish..and why not? We are fabulous. And then you read about our transport system and their workers. How utterly disappointing. Is there any Irishness in our system anymore? I don’t mind being European…but I’m Irish first.
@David Garland: And the LUAS works are making things worse.
Should be underground
That ship has long sailed. The city is too old and established now for an underground.
Next priority should be metro to Dublin airport
@Joe Bloggs: They built an underground system in Rome! London was over 1800 years old when they started building theirs. What are you on about?
Bang on, eventually Dublin must get some underground at least. The Luas is obviously very successful but even one accident can cause major disruption and they are common enough.
Haha .Stupid post of the day.
@Blue MARIGOLD: And that along with a metro to Blanchardstown and move Busarus out of the city centre.
@Chris Kirk:
You have a bee in your bonnet about busarus.
Unions would never slow it.
Comment of the year contender
Typical moaners, wont be as quick to praise any increase in business once it opens.
The mens cloths shop is gas, why would tourist buy cloths!!! There is nothing much on Dawson St.
“why would tourist buy cloths”
They woulnd’t. They’d probably buy clothes though.
That must have made your day.
One of those things that should have been done years ago but was put off because of disruption. Once it’s up and running, the benefits will be taken for granted and the temporary mess forgotten.
Contracters in Ireland are taking the piss. How can it take a few years to lay a bit of track? Not a chance it would take this long in Germany or many other countries. You’d swear they’re building the euro tunnel.
@Roughan Mac Namara:
Look up Berlins new airport to see German efficiency at work.
I was shocked with how bad a set up Berlin had when we visited last Sept. Airport was brutal and the train station was worse. Well over 45mins waiting in line for a train ticket. 6 machines in the whole station and hundreds of people waiting in line. Granted in around the city was ok.
The construction on Molesworth Street doesn’t help either
Anyone brave enough to take a Luas through Parnell Street when its line opens in Dec ’17? This area is well-known for being infested with thugs & junkies going in & out from there.
@John Flanagan:
And they’ll be taking the luas all the way into the south side. Oh dear!
Only when the moon is full. Most weekends I’ll just walk to Chapters to browse the books as usual. Or meet friends at Cineworld. Should I hire bodyguards?
Well you would think that Dublin City council would work with the businesses affected and give them relief on there rates for the duration of the works. No that’s to simple for them reprobates in fishamble street.
Per metre of track it must be one of the slowest infrastructure projects the developed world has ever seen?
Eggs and omelettes lads
Once it’s done they’ll find some excuse to dig up the roads again, should be all underground
When is it due to open, the Luas service I mean. I assume they will be many more months finishing the paths etc etc.
Stupid headline for an article . Plus Its construction . Of course there will be dust
Resembles a war zone. Let’s see if the Luas works will be ready for the start of December or end of December 2017……. Big difference.
These shops might be better off closing until works are done and sueuas for loss of earnings. As im sure they have money spare for these little matters
Two Full days luas works at weekend 7am sat _6pm and 8am wake up Sunday morning until 4.30 pm ,also woken at 2.30 am this am more noise guys with lights going around moving stuff ,city centre residents have a right to quality of life at weekend ,very tired of this luas construction
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