Only 40 per cent of trucks use tunnel

Only 40 per cent of truckers opted to use the Port Tunnel this morning, with the remainder passing through the city centre.

After the early boats arrived this morning, however, there was no repeat of the gridlock experienced yesterday because traffic volumes were quieter in the run-up to Christmas holidays.

"Despite fears following Thursday's gridlock around the Port, on North Wall Quay and East Wall road, there were no major problems this morning," said Nicola Hudson, AA Roadwatch controller said.

"Up to 40 per cent of the HGV drivers opted to take the Dublin Port tunnel which reopened at 4.30am following routine scheduled overnight maintenance work."

Dublin City Council said today that traffic volumes on the roads around the port had reduced significantly since the tunnel opened to HGV traffic on Wednesday afternoon.

The Council said 2,493 trucks had used the €751 tunnel between 12 midnight on December 21st and midday today.

North Wall traffic had been cut by 38 per cent reduction from the port and by 10 per cent to the port, the council said.

Traffic to the port on East Wall road was down 66 per cent, and by 30 per cent on Sean Moore Road.

Trucks are believed to be opting to use the city instead of the port tunnel because of anticipated traffic congestion on the M50 and to avoid the M50 toll. However, a ban on HGVs entering the city will be put in place on February 19th.

The tunnel will be open to cars, who opt to pay a toll, by the end of January. The tunnel is free for trucks.