Dublin Port Tunnel

Building The Tunnel

Dublin Port Tunnel is a 4.6 km twin bore tunnel and 1.1 km of new surface roadway in the centre of Dublin City linking Dublin Port to the national road network. It is a dedicated route for Heavy Goods Vehicles and it is anticipated that it will remove over 9,000 trucks from Dublin City streets.

After 10 years of planning, construction of the Dublin Port Tunnel commenced in June 2001 and was substantially completed by June 2006.

The Project constructed two tunnels using the tunnel-boring machine method and a cut and cover section at the end of each. Pipe jacking was used to construct the 60 metres of tunnel under the rail line at Alfie Byrne Road. The project also built three bridges, a new entrance to Dublin Port, three operations buildings and the toll plaza. There was substantial air, noise, vibration and building surveying during the construction works. 40,000 trees and shrubs were planted and over 2 million tonnes of clay and stone were moved.


Further detailed information

  • Introduction to Dublin Port Tunnel (396k PDF)
    Dublin Port Tunnel is the largest ever roads transportation project in the Republic of Ireland, linking the Port with the National Roads Network.
  • Pre-planning and Tender Award (768k PDF)
    Two Environmental Impact Statements were completed and five tender submissions received before the contract was awarded on June 2000 to the NMI Consortium.
  • Tunnelling and its Effects (5.8MB PDF)
    Two Tunnel Boring Machines were used to excavate the Dublin Port Tunnel, one for soft boulder clay and the larger 1600-tonne machine for hard rock excavation.
  • Cut and Cover Sections (1.8MB PDF)
    These sections between the bored tunnel at 26m deep and the surface roadway were constructed between diaphragm walls or retained cut using soil nailing with shotcrete.
  • Fit-out and Systems (1.1MB PDF)
    The Tunnel has a comprehensive array of mechanical and electrical systems that deliver the monitoring and safety system used by the Tunnel Operator.
  • Traffic Management - Construction (110k PDF)
    A traffic management plan was developed and agreed to facilitate the fifteen principal phases of construction while maintaining journey times for public transport and minimising disruption to other users.
  • Project Management (232k PDF)
    The Employer's Representative was Dublin City Council who was responsible for all elements of the Project Management including Health and Safety and the Public Information Campaign.
  • Fleming Award (192k PDF)
    The 2003 Fleming Award for geotechnical excellence was won jointly by the World Trade Centre Recovery Effort and the Dublin Port Tunnel Team.