Construction started on T2

Construction started this morning  (Monday October 1st) on Terminal Two, the new €395 million new passenger terminal at Dublin Airport.

T2, which will open in April 2010, can handle up to 15 million passengers per year.

“This is a historic day for Dublin Airport,” said Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) Chief Executive Declan Collier. “Starting construction is a key milestone on the road to delivering T2 on time and on budget,” Mr Collier added.

“We intend to radically improve the travel experience for the many millions of people that use Dublin Airport every year. The DAA is committed to building a better airport for all its customers,” Mr Collier said.

The total value of the T2 project, which also includes a new boarding gate area Pier E, a new energy centre, and a major upgrade of the airport’s campus road network is €609 million. Construction work on the new terminal will be completed in late 2009 and T2 will open to the public in April 2010, following a rigorous testing and commissioning phase.

The T2 project is a key element of the DAA’s €2 billion Transforming Dublin Airport programme, which will improve, expand and modernise the passenger facilities at Dublin Airport.

T2 is being built close to the roundabout on the existing approach road to Terminal One and as part of the project, the internal roads at Dublin Airport will be reconfigured to create separate dedicated approach routes for T1 and T2. Locations for a future metro station and a ground transportation centre are also provided for in the overall Transforming Dublin Airport plan.

Mr Collier said that while the construction would cause some disruption, it would be kept to an absolute minimum. “We have worked very hard with our construction partners to ensure that the delivery of T2 will have as little impact as possible on the travelling public.”

This morning, construction workers started to erect fencing around the entire T2 site. Site investigation and preparatory works will also begin immediately. At peak, up to 2,000 construction workers will be employed on the overall T2 project.

T2 will be a bright, airy and modern building designed specifically to meet travellers’ needs. The new terminal has two main components – a check-in area and a departures and arrivals area – that will be connected by a link bridge that will form part of the central spine of T2.

Ends

For further information contact:
Paul O’Kane, Communications Manager, Airport Development Programme
Tel 00 353 1 8141987, 00 353 866090221

T2 Project Key Facts
New 75,0000 sq m terminal building (T2)
New 24,000 sq metre boarding (Pier E) with parking for up to 20 aircraft

Construction started – Monday October 1st 2007
T2 open to the public – April 2010
T2 will cost €395 million, while the entire T2 project, which includes Pier E, a new energy centre, campus road upgrades and apron works is €609 million.