TEST bore drilling on the proposed tunnel access route for Dublin Port has been suspended following complaints from residents in the Marino area that cracks have developed in their homes since work began.
Work on the tunnel is at an early stage, and trial drills are being undertaken as part of the site investigation works. The results are expected to form part of an overall environmental impact assessment.
Members of the Marino Development Action Group (MDAG) claimed after work began that they felt vibrations and that cracks started to appear in the plasterwork of their homes.
Ultimately, the tunnel access route is being provided by Dublin Corporation, while the project is being managed as a joint venture between consulting engineers Ove Arrup and Geoconsult. The project management team in turn hired Geotech, a company well versed in test bore drilling, to carry out the actual drills.
Public information aspects of the project are being co ordinated by Bill O'Herlihy Communications.