Sisk Steconfer JV has commenced testing the trams on the new Luas Cross City light rail extension in Dublin, the most significant milestone for the project to date. Running from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge through the city centre, Phibsborough and Cabra, the new line will link the Luas Red and Green Lines.

Initial testing known as a ‘gauge run’ began in the city centre on Saturday morning from 3.30am and will continue throughout the next few weeks. 

Construction works for Luas Cross City are being carried out by a joint venture between John Sisk and Son and Steconfer, a Portuguese based global railway construction company.

The gauge run is the first test for the Luas Cross City system in advance of passenger services commencing in December. It consists of moving trams at slow speeds (from 5kph up to 10kph) whilst carrying out a range of measurements and verifying that the new infrastructure (tracks and overhead wires) is working with the trams. The gauge run comes almost two years after SSJV commenced works as the contractor for the project. 

In September, the new line will be handed over to Transdev, the tram operators, who will then coordinate the driver training and conclude further tests and trial running of the new system.
 
Speaking after the first successful gauge run, CEO of John Sisk & Son, Stephen Bowcott said, "Today marks a significant milestone for the construction of the Luas Cross City extension and the 800 SSJV employees who have combined their talent and expertise to ensure the success of this project to date. As an innovative, international, engineering and construction company, John Sisk & Son is proud to be part of the SSJV team that will deliver such a large, complex and multidisciplinary project in partnership with our client, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)."

Source: www.businessworld.ie