Dublin Port Tunnel

Dublin Tunnel
Dublin Tunnel, southbound entrance, December 2006
Overview
LocationDublin, Ireland
Coordinates53°21′40″N 6°14′03″W / 53.36118°N 6.23410°W / 53.36118; -6.23410
RouteM50
StartDublin Port
EndM50 motorway (Junction 2)
Operation
Work begunJune 2001
Opened
  • 20 December 2006 (HGVs only)
  • 28 January 2007 (all traffic)
OwnerTransport Infrastructure Ireland
OperatorTransport Infrastructure Ireland
Technical
Length4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) (immersed tube tunnel section)
5.7 kilometres (3.5 mi) (total roadway)
No. of lanes2 cells of 2 each
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Tunnel clearance4.8 metres (16 ft) (internal)
Width11.77 metres (38.6 ft) (internal)
Dublin Tunnel Construction, 2004

The Dublin Tunnel (Irish: Tollán Bhaile Átha Cliath), originally and still commonly known as the Port Tunnel, is a road traffic tunnel in Dublin, Ireland, that forms part of the M50 motorway.

The twin tunnels form a two-lane dual carriageway connecting Dublin Port, which lies to the east of central Dublin, and the M50 motorway at junction 2, close to Dublin Airport. The tunnels are 4.5 km (2.8 mi) in length and total project length of 5.6 km (3.5 mi). It had a final cost of approximately €752 million.

The tunnel was officially opened on 20 December 2006; it was initially only open to HGVs.[1] It was opened to all traffic on 28 January 2007.[2]