Global professional services firm Jacobs has been reappointed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to deliver technical advisory services covering the operation and management of Ireland's major road tunnels alongside its Motorway Operations Control Centre. The contract supports safer, more reliable daily journeys for thousands of motorists using the country's motorway network.

Under the agreement, Jacobs will assist TII's Network Operations team with operation and maintenance contracts for the Dublin Tunnel, the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork, and the motorway operations control centre. The remit also encompasses support for the Limerick Tunnel public-private partnership scheme.

Jacobs will provide guidance on contractor performance and auditing, while leading programme and risk management. In addition, the firm will advise on compliance with the European Union's road tunnel safety directive (2004/54/EC). The appointment carries an initial five-year duration, featuring options to extend for up to 12 years.

-- Advertisement --

Jacobs Executive Vice President and General Manager Europe Richard Sanderson said: "Tunnels are among the most safety-critical assets on a road network, and keeping them running well takes continuity and rigorous oversight. Through our long-standing role with TII, we're able to apply what we've learned across Dublin, Cork and Limerick to anticipate risks earlier and raise operational standards in line with international best practice."

Jacobs has assisted TII's tunnel operations across three generations of contracts, spanning from the initial Dublin Tunnel agreement through to the existing NEC4 contract.

TII Head of Road Tunnel Operations Eugene Murtagh said: "We at TII are delighted to continue our long-standing collaboration with Jacobs in supporting the operation of Ireland's key road tunnel assets. Jacobs has demonstrated proven expertise across these complex and safety-critical facilities over many years, and we look forward to continuing to work together to deliver safe, reliable and resilient tunnel operations for road users."

Jacobs is currently involved in several major infrastructure investments across Ireland, including the National Transport Authority (NTA)'s BusConnects Dublin and Cork programmes, TII's proposed Luas Cork light rail scheme, Irish Rail's Galway to Portarlington rail network upgrade and East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects programme, as well as Uisce Éireann's strategic planning for sustainable and resilient water services.