Pay as you go!
05 Apr 2007
The Dublin Port Tunnel, Ireland’s biggest-ever infrastructure project which connects Dublin Port and the M1 motorway close to Dublin airport was officially opened by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D. at the end of December, 2006.
The €751 million Dublin Port Tunnel is the largest piece of infrastructure ever delivered in Ireland. It is the longest urban motorway tunnel in Europe, containing twin dual-carriageway tunnels, 4.5 km in length each, from the M1 Coolock Interchange to Dublin Port.
One of the major features of the new transport link is the prominent Toll Plaza and Administration Building. Andrew Mannion Structural Engineers were tasked with fabricating and erecting the above-ground steel infrastructure, using steel from Corus.
AMSE Managing Director Andrew Mannion spoke about the nature of the structural steel fabrication for the project.
“An ambitious architectural design required some very innovative thinking from our engineers. For architectural purposes the structural depth of the canopy was inadequate, therefore very complex cantilevered connections had to be developed and detailed.”
“Structural sections (Grade S355JR) were rolled to order in the Corus Mills and the expeditious delivery was coordinated by Corus Lisburn in order to meet the requirements of the four month programme,” he added.
“The entire structure was fabricated in our highly automated production facility in Moate and transported to the site in sections.”
AMSE have a very strong engineering and design department with considerable expertise in large and complex structures.
Denis McNelis, an experienced structural engineer, having worked with Arup and Michael Punch and Partners before joining AMSE as Engineering Director in 2004, explained some of the technical aspects of the design,
“One phase of the project required the on-site assembly, erection and hoisting into position of a 70 tonne double cantilevered steel canopy consisting of 7 trusses. The entire surface of the structure was warped to meet architectural and plan elevational requirements.”
The main contractors on the project, Bowen Construction were delighted with the innovative use of steel, and attention to programme, delivered on this structural phase of the project.
Michael Porter, Project Manager, Bowen Construction commented, “AMSE excelled in the delivery of this complex steel solution.”
