A new cycle path along one of the busiest routes into Dublin city centre has officially been opened.
The new path extends 2.7 kilometres from the Clontarf Road/Alfie Byrne Road junction along North Strand Road to Amiens Street at Connolly Station.
The long-delayed and much anticipated project cost almost €70 million.
This route is part of the Dublin City Council Active Travel Network, a key initiative designed to support Dublin’s growing need for greener transport through improved walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport facilities.
The works included replacing 6.5km of century-old water mains and adding eight new community plazas.
“It offers safe, segregated cycle facilities into quite a very busy part of the city centre; so that is what is really revolutionary,” said Anne Graham from the National Transport Authority.
”The project will not only enhance walking and cycling and public transport in the city but also support Ireland’s broader transport and environmental objectives.”
The Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) Active Travel Project comprises 8km of upgraded pedestrian walkways, 6.8km of new cycle lanes, and 5.4km of upgraded bus lanes.
Dublin City Council says there have been upgrades to nine major junctions and three pedestrian crossings. In addition, there are two brand new pedestrian crossings connecting Fairview village to the park.
Speaking at one of his final engagements as Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said cars have dominated the city “for far too long”.
“This is a clear signal that Dublin – just like other leading cities like Paris or London – is moving towards a better, cleaner, and greener future,” Mr Ryan said.
Businesses along the route endured years of disruption and traffic diversions which impacted their trade.
Yang Xu runs the popular Greenland cafe along the route.
”It’s been very difficult and disruptive few years,” he told RTÉ News.
”Customers found it difficult to get in and there was a few incidents, broken doors and window panes when people smashed into them.”
The business owner is glad all the work has finally been completed.
“They only finished last week so it’s too early to say if it will bring benefits but I hope that it will,” he said.
Dublin City Council’s planned 314km Active Travel Network aims to transform the city’s lifestyle by expanding its walk-wheel-cycle infrastructure.
By the end of this year, the network will have grown to 30km from an initial 10km.
When finished, the network will ensure that 95% of residents will be within 400 metres of the network.
