Kilmainham to Thomas Street- Suir Road Davitt Road Junction Upgrade

Overview

Dublin City Council would like to invite the public to have their say on plans for Suir Road, Davitt Road Junction Upgrade Project as part of the Kilmainham to Thomas Street Walking & Cycling Scheme, the scheme is one of the many projects being implemented as part of the City Council’s Active Travel Network.

During the lifetime of the programme, the Network will grow from its existing 10km to a connected network of 310km across the city. This will enhance quality of life by improving access, connectivity and sustainable mobility for all, while reducing transport related carbon emissions.

About the Junction Upgrade Project

Dublin City Council (DCC), with the support of the National Transport Authority, propose to upgrade the junction of Suir Road, Davitt Road, Dolphin Road and Slievenamon Road where they intersect at the Grand Canal. The LUAS Red Line also runs through the junction. The proposal introduces measures to cater for all transport users passing through the junction, improving the layout and facilitating bus and cyclist movements.

The project proposes to convert the junction of Suir Road, Davitt Road, Dolphin Road and Slievenamon Road from a 5-arm junction to a consolidated 3-arm junction with the Slievenamon Road arm approaching northwards closed off to general traffic. The existing slip road from Dolphin Road to Slievenamon Road will be retained for all traffic. The exit from Slievenamon Road onto Dolphin Road will be converted to a bus gate (allowing on public transport and emergency vehicles through).

The Suir Road Davitt Road junction upgrade will: 

• Improve pedestrian and cycling provisions
• Provide new cycle tracks
• Provide a bus gate* for northbound buses through the Slievenamon Road/ Dolphin Road junction
• Extended the public realm and landscaped area
• Reduce rat running through local roads via Slievenamon Road
• Optimise traffic signal phasing to facilitate cyclists and pedestrians through the junction
• Provide enhanced and more direct pedestrian crossing facilities
• Maintain LUAS and bus priority through the junction
• Providing new footpaths and road surface for the full junction

*  A bus gate is a sign-posted short length of stand-alone bus lane. This short length of road is restricted exclusively to buses, taxis and cyclists plus emergency vehicles. General traffic will be directed by signage to divert away to other roads before they arrive at the Bus Gate. Transport for Ireland have published an animation describing the operation of a bus gate on their YouTube channel here https://youtu.be/OqBxM4blGso?si=kWsRBEa3Z23hu8QM.

Scheme Benefits

• Improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians by providing more direct and signalised crossings
• Enhance amenity with an extended, refurbished and accessible landscaped area.
• Improve safety of LUAS travelling through the junction.
• Encourage increased levels of physical activity through the provision of a safe route and connectivity to the other walking and cycling routes

Why your views matter

The DCC Active Travel Programme Office are carrying out this non-statutory public consultation from the 13^th of June to the 11^th of July 2024. The purpose of the consultation is to inform the public of key features of the Suir Road Davitt Road Junction upgrade.

If you have particular suggestions or comments on the proposals we would welcome your views. Submissions may be made by one of the following methods:

• Filling out the online survey below
• By emailing ActiveTravelOffice@dublincity.ie (with Suir Road Davitt Road junction upgrade in the subject bar)
• By post to Dublin City Council, Cavendish House, Block D, Arran Court, Arran Quay, Dublin 7, D07 H5CH

Design drawings are available for viewing during the consultation period at: 

• Dublin City Council, Block 1, Floor 0, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8, D008RF3F
• Dolphins Barn Library, Parnell Road, Saint James, Dublin, D12 ET22
• https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/transportation/active-travel/projects/kilmainham-thomas-street-project/project-resources-and-downloads