An Bord Pleanála has approved the underpass, despite objections from Ryanair. The Irish airline argued the €200m tunnel would add costs for passengers and damage the recovery of Irish aviation.
The tunnel will comprise an enclosed section approximately 0.7km long, with an overall alignment of around 1.1km from entry to exit. It will be approximately 24m in external width, and approximately 5.5m in internal height from road to tunnel ceiling. The underground section will be up to 17.5m below existing ground level.
In a statement to T&TI, DAA said the new vehicle underpass would be built in the middle of the airfield, underneath the crosswind runway, to connect the Eastern Campus with the West Apron.
“The tunnel is required to improve access and safety on the airfield, allowing for the segregation of aircraft and vehicles, and the movement of vehicles to the West Apron, which has been restricted since the opening of the North Runway in August 2022,” DAA said.
Access to the West Apron is critically important to cargo operations, transit operations, general aviation, stand-by parking and contingency stands.
The twin-cell tunnel will be used by cargo operators, fuel bowsers, tugs, loaders, steps and catering trucks.
“The underpass will be critical to ensure Dublin Airport maintains safety standards and meets future operational requirements. The project will create over 160 jobs during the construction phase,” said DAA.
