Night services announced for Christmas period as repairs to George’s Dock bridge completed
The Red Luas line will fully reopen tomorrow following completion of repairs to George’s Dock bridge, which was severely damaged in a fire over three months ago.
The section of the line between Connolly and The Point has been shut down since a large fire broke out on 19 August near the International Financial Services Centre. The blaze came into contact with a gas line and took several hours to bring under control.
Luas operator Transdev said at the time that the fire caused “significant damage” to George’s Bridge, which carries the tram. Around 20,000 passenger journeys take place daily on the Connolly to The Point section of the Red Line, with numbers increasing significantly during concerts, matches and major events.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland conducted a detailed assessment of the bridge, light rail infrastructure and associated utilities before undertaking an “intensive programme of construction and reinstatement works.” In addition to bridge reconstruction, utility connections, Luas tracks and the Overhead Contact System were fully reinstated.
The Commission for Railway Regulation approved the return of passenger services this week. TII thanked all agencies and individuals involved in the works, which were completed within the expected timeframe, and expressed gratitude to Luas passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption period.
“Your cooperation allowed us to prioritise safety and reinstate Luas services just in time for the busy Christmas season,” TII stated.
Both the Red and Green Luas lines will run into the early hours of the morning on certain dates over the Christmas period, including Friday 12 December, Saturday 13 December, Friday 19 December and Saturday 20 December. On Christmas Eve, services will run until 8pm, with no Luas services operating on Christmas Day. Some night services will also operate on New Year’s Eve.
The Luas is on course to transport over 55 million passenger journeys in 2025, underscoring the system’s importance to Dublin’s public transport network. The reopening of the Red Line’s full route comes as welcome news for commuters and event-goers, particularly with the busy Christmas shopping season and numerous concerts and sporting events scheduled at venues near The Point.