DUBLIN DART services are to return to normal this morning, with a full service operating, as the line between Sydney Parade and Grand Canal stations reopens.
The line between the stations had been closed since Thursday, October 27th, due to river bed erosion caused by flooding.
The works to repair the damage had been expected to be completed by next Friday. However, according to Iarnród Éireann, “excellent progress has been made to date” and the line will open ahead of schedule.
At least two large trees were swept downstream by the river Dodder and became lodged under a bridge at Lansdowne Road, causing debris to build up against it. An inspection carried out by divers showed damage to the ground in the vicinity of a support pier of the bridge and the line was deemed unfit for use.
Services operated from Howth/Malahide to Grand Canal Dock, and from Sydney Parade to Greystones during the works.
Lansdowne Road station had been closed and southside commuters were forced to either take a shuttle bus from Booterstown to Pearse Station, running every 30 minutes, or to use Dublin Bus services.
The result had been “utter chaos”, according to the Rail Users Ireland organisation.
Spokesman Mark Gleeson said: “There was no other word than chaos, utter chaos, that southside commuters were being forced to endure. Dublin Bus buses were full, passing queues of people at bus stops and people were having to leave an hour to get into work, rather than the usual half hour.
“We were saved by the fact that the schools were on mid-term break last week. If the schools had been open as well it would have been total bedlam.”
A spokesman for Dublin Bus confirmed there had been a significant increase in passengers on the key number 7, 8 and 46a routes from the south of the city and county towards the city centre.
A spokeswoman for Iarnród Éireann apologised for the inconvenience caused to customers.
