In February 2023, Fingal County Council granted permission to the daa to develop, among other things, an underpass under runway 16/34 to permit vehicles easier access to the west apron. This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Ryanair and SMTW Environmental DAC – a group set up to represent residents of St Margaret’s and the Ward in North Co. Dublin in legal, environmental and planning matters.
The appeal by each party was on a number of grounds. Ryanair’s concerns were around the cost of the project and questioned its necessity. It also argued against the disruption that would be caused in terms of loss of access to aircraft stands and the closure of runway 16/34 for approximately six months during construction. SMTW Environmental DAC appealed on the basis that the project was premature in the context of the current passenger cap. There were also objections to the 24-hour nature of the construction work and certain environmental arguments.
The €200m project will take 3 years to complete and will use the ‘cut and cover’ technique for the 700-metre underpass. The construction process will involve the following:
- Demolition of part of the pavement surfaces of the runway, aprons and taxiways (Runway 16/34, Apron Taxiway 4, West Apron, Taxiways F2, W1 and W2) and their reinstatement.
- Demolition of the passenger walkways and their supports, air bridge and aircraft stands at Level 20 at Pier 3 and their replacement with 3 airbridges over the airside road network and Node buildings and associated modifications of Pier 3.
- Construction of a twin-cell enclosed tunnel with two lanes in each direction, 24m wide and 5.5 m from road to tunnel ceiling located 17.5 m below existing ground level and includes a drainage sump. It will run from Pier 3 to the West Apron.
- Associated plant, tie-in roadworks and 31 car parking spaces at surface level at Pier 3 and reconfiguration of the aprons around Pier 2 and Pier 3.
- Realignment of aircraft stands on the Eastern Campus, with the net loss of 3 Narrow Body stands and net gain of 1 Wide Body stand at Pier 3, realignment of aircraft stands at Pier 2 and realignment of aircraft stands on the West Apron.
- Drainage works, including the temporary diversion of the Airfield Trunk Culvert and all ancillary works as well as provision for future drainage infrastructure (sewers and attenuation facility).
- New Western Compound adjacent to the existing Western Compound with new access off the R108 for the pre-screening of deliveries and associated storage/office and for car parking for construction staff and stockpiling.
- Area to the north of the R108 to be used for a new lorry waiting area (Southern Compound).
- Use of an existing airside compound for construction compound, including concrete crushing and batching, site offices, workshop, storage and parking. A stockpile will be located here (West Apron Compound).
The proposed development does not propose any increase in passenger, cargo or operational capacity at Dublin Airport.
