Samuel Beckett BridgeTraffic Management Arrangements

Ronan O Dea

Senior Engineer

Traffic Management and Control

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Roads Act (1993) and Roads Regulations (1994)

stipulate that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for a bridge of length greater than 100m

• EIS outlines• Description of proposed development• Measures to avoid, reduce and if possible remedy significant

adverse effects.• Data required to assess main effects• Outline of main alternatives

• EIS published in June 2000 and An Bord Pleanála approved scheme 15th August 2001.

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Transport Strategy for the City Centre and Docklands

“ As a general policy Dublin City Council has sought to limit the growth of peak hour traffic within the canal cordon .The overall policy of Dublin City Council is to restrict through – traffic within the city centre and to give increased levels of priority for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The overall purpose to the proposed Guild St – Macken Street Bridge is therefore to provide greater levels of accessibility for all transport modes within the Inner City while continuing to restrict through traffic from the City Centre”

(EIS Section 5.4)

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Function of Bridge and associated Traffic Management

Measures

• To allow for the orderly development of the Docklands area• To provide a pedestrian and cycle link between the north and south

quays• To complete the Outer Orbital Route thereby facilitating the

management of traffic in the Inner City• To reduce average journey times and improve the overall efficiency

of the transport network in the Docklands area.• To restrict the growth in through traffic in the Inner City

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Public and Statutory Consultations

• Preliminary Scoping Report for EIS

• Consultation with interested Agencies, Dublin Port Authority, DDDA, DTO, LRT Design Office , National Toll Roads

• Residents and Commercial interests notified of EIS preparation. Main concern of residents was the increase in traffic flows arising from the bridge, the following improvements were included in the scheme

• 22 no signal controlled crossings at 11 locations• Environmental improvements to screen adjacent residences from traffic• Cycle tracks where proposed cycle routes are planned• Parking controls to avoid impedance of traffic flow• Junctions improvements to increase capacity to match the traffic demand

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Primary purpose of bridge is to integrate the North and

South Docklands and complete Outer Orbital Route.• Turning restrictions arise from the aim of not attracting

cross city traffic into the area• Specifically measures are aimed at minimising the

amount of traffic diverting from the East Link Toll Bridge.• The restrictions help minimise adverse impacts on local

community.• Keep traffic away from the city centre and reduces traffic

volumes on critical Custom House gyratory.• New bridge greatly improves pedestrian and cycling

connectivity between north and south Docklands and opens up catchment area of Luas C1 extension

Samuel Beckett Bridge • Significant vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist usage• Ready access to LUAS from south city • Improves road network performance and reduces congestion

on Pearse Street and Amiens Street.• Provides capacity for future roadworks associated with Metro

North • Little benefit in overall traffic management terms in providing

bridge to relieve traffic on East Link as apposed to removing traffic from critical crossings at Butt Bridge and Talbot Memorial Bridge

• Bridge has increases accessibility for the area• Traffic impacts on local communities have been managed