478. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Alexandra Road roadworks, which are currently restricting freight and rail movements from Tara mines to Dublin Port. [62334/26]

Alexandra Road is a critical component of Dublin Port’s internal road network, providing access to various LoLo (Lift-on/Lift-off) and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) terminals within Dublin Port Company’s estate. Over time, the condition of both the road surface and the integrated rail line at Alexandra Road has significantly deteriorated, posing health and safety risks and necessitating ongoing maintenance. Upgrading Alexandra Road is therefore essential to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and support the long-term sustainability of the Port’s transport infrastructure.

Dublin Port Company has advised my Department’s officials that the Alexandra Road works have been underway since July 2025. Prior to commencement, there was substantial engagement by the Port Company with all port operators and users of the rail corridor.

In advance of the upgrade works, Dublin Port Company invested €9 million to prepare the rail freight yard for use by Iarnród Éireann and its customers, enabling the management of rail freight volumes that previously used the rail corridor along Alexandra Road. Dublin Port Company has also advised that Boliden Tara Mines has been able to continue exporting its product through Dublin Port using heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and the Port Company is not aware of any significant disruption to these exports as a consequence of the road works.

The Alexandra Road project involves upgrading the failed rail line and replacing it with new, fit-for-purpose track and turnouts. This will allow a safe and resilient return of rail services for the export of lead and zinc ore through Dublin Port.

The project will also deliver new road surfacing, protected pedestrian and cycle routes, safer rail signalisation and upgraded drainage and communications ducting at Alexandra Road. In this regard, the works are being carried out in partnership with EirGrid and ESB Networks and include the installation of advanced high-voltage ducting and joint bays, a critical element of EirGrid's 'Powering Up Dublin' project to replace 50km of underground cables across Dublin and to reinforce the grid.

Dublin Port Company has further advised my Department's officials that the main road will reopen in December 2026 and that the Boliden Tara Mines rail connection into Dublin Port will be available for the recommencement of services by February 2027. Additional details of the Alexandra Road closure and upgrade works are available on Dublin Port Company’s website.