Transport 21

Transport 21 is the Irish Government's plan to deliver a world class transport infrastructure system to Ireland. The project is the largest investment ever in Ireland's transport system with €34 billion being invested from 2006 until 2015. Work on a number of projects has already commenced while a number of objectives have already been completed. The Transport 21 plan can largely be divided into five categories, Metro / Luas, Heavy rail, roads, buses and airports. The plan for Transport 21 was announced on 1 November 2005 by the then Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen.

During the Transport 21 plan, two Metro lines will be developed within the Dublin Area and six extensions to the Luas lines. The Metro line will be the first of its kind in Ireland with two lines being constructed. The first line, Metro North, will go from Stephens Green to Dublin Airport and Swords, while the Metro West line will travel from Tallaght to Santry. Work on the Luas line will focus on the joining of the two lines through Dublin city centre, and the extension of these lines with some additional spurs being constructed.

The heavy rail program is mainly focused on the upgrading of the Intercity rail network while also constructing commuter rail services in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Several old lines will be opened again, including the Navan rail line and the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry. In Dublin City, an interconnector rail tunnel is being built to connect Heuston Station with the Docklands.

The Irish Government has been investing heavily in roads over the last decade in order to bring the standard of roads up to International standards. The M1 was completed to Motorway standard from the M50 to the border with Northern Ireland. Each of the main inter-urban roads from the M50, the M1, N2, M3, N4, M5, N6, N7, N8, N9 and N11. The M50 is receiving massive investment to upgrade the road to 3 lanes, and to upgrade the major junctions to fly over status. The M50 Toll Bridge will become barrier free from August 2008 which will improve the travel time on the road significantly.

Public transport in Dublin, particularly buses will receive significant funding. It is planned to increase the capacity on Buses in the Greater Dublin area by 60%. A €70million investment will be mad in nationwide bus services in order to improve the service on existing route and to introduce new routes. Since 2006, 167 new buses have come into operation in Dublin, with 130 already purchased and waiting implementation.

The regional airports of Knock, Kerry, Sligo, Donegal, Waterford and Galway will receive a total of €86million in investment with a focus on safety and security at the airports. Included within this budget are funds for essential infrastructure and safety such as the installation of Instrument Landing Systems and other navigational aids.

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