ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DUBLINOBSERVER.COM (2010-2012)
A greenway, for pedestrians and cyclists, along the Grand Canal between Inchicore and Lucan was opened today.
Although now officially opened, the greenway is not fully complete, with some construction still on-going.
The 8.5km off-road route goes from the Lock Road, near Adamstown and south Lucan, to the Blackhorse Luas stop at Inchicore. Areas along the route include Park West, Clondalkin, Walkinstown, and Ballyfermot.
The off-road track includes nature-sensitive lighting and 66 monitored CCTV cameras.
At the opening today, Cllr Mick Duff, lord mayor of South Dublin County Council said: “It provides for an alternative mode of transport and an active and passive recreation route while incorporating a 110kV cables providing a power supply for the West Dublin area stimulating further economic activity.”
As part of the project ESB Networks installed a high voltage 110kV cable to serve Grange Castle Business Park. The ESB said the company has installed secondary ducting for future proofing.
Also included in the construction were South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland.
According to the group, the €25 million project included 136,000 meters of ducting, 1,000 trees, 44,000 shrubs, 308 lights, 16 bat boxes, 12 otter holts, and five jetties.
It is planned the route will eventually continue further into the city and into the Docklands. Dublin City Council is currently planning to build another section under the name Dublin Canals Cycle Route, this will go from Rathmines to Fairview Park on the northside where it will link up with part of the planned Sutton to Sandycove cycle route around Dublin Bay.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DUBLINOBSERVER.COM (2010-2012)