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Carriers and motorists have been warned to expect delays around the Dublin Port tunnel from January 1.
Contingency plans have been finalized to minimize the impact that Brexit-related traffic congestion may have on the port and nearby roads.
Starting in the New Year, a new traffic management system will be implemented to deal with Brexit-related traffic delays in the country’s main ports, tunnels and highways.
“We will advise drivers to take certain approaches to the tunnel,” Pat Maher, director of network management at Transport Infrastructure Ireland, told RTÉ News.
“We will ask drivers alighting from the M1 and M50 to take advantage of the additional truck parking spaces that are provided in the highway service areas,” Maher said.
More than 200 cameras at the Highway Control and Operations Center in the Port tunnel will monitor traffic flows around the port, at the Jack Lynch tunnel in Cork and on the country’s major highways.
A color-coded traffic light system will go into effect if traffic increases rapidly.
Other measures include;
– Increased traffic space at the north entrance of the Dublin Port tunnel
– A heavy vehicle (HGV) queue management system on the M50 approach heading north to the M1 / M50 junction and on the M1 heading south
– Additional parking capacity for heavy vehicles in the motorway service areas on the M1 (both northbound and southbound).
– Off-line emergency parking for heavy vehicles
– Change facility in Tunnel Slip to Dublin Port (Promenade Road)
– Assistance from An Garda Síochána and motorway service operators
The government says Dublin Port users should prepare for potential traffic jams and diversions starting next month.
“It is important that we guarantee the free movement of goods from the port,” Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister of State for Transport, told RTÉ News.
“There will be delays, we know there is an agreement or not, and that is why we have prepared contingency plans for January 1.”
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan visited the control room at Dublin Port for a briefing on how the plans are progressing before January 1.
“We know that Brexit is a challenge for our carriers and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring they have the correct documentation to enter the port and follow the alerts and signage provided,” Ryan said.
Carriers are advised to verify the new traffic rules and requirements for import and export controls by visiting the website, gov.ie.
There are also regular radio updates on Dublin City Council’s ‘Live Drive’ radio station (103.2FM).
Information on congestion will also be sent through national websites, including; www.dublinport.ie; www.dublintunnel.ie and www.hgv.ie
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