A new LUAS bridge is to be built to ease traffic disruption in Dublin city centre during the construction of the Metro North and the interconnector.

The bridge, for LUAS line BX, is "urgently needed", to avoid the massive disruption experienced during the last Luas improvements, when works start in 2010.

Dublin City Council's Director of Traffic Michael Philips said an implementation group has been set up to oversee works by the Rail Procurement Agency and Iarnród Eireann.

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It will advise on construction and will see St Stephen's Green become 'Grand Central Station'.

At yesterday's transport committee meeting, Mr Philips confirmed construction of the bridge for LUAS BX linking Hawkins Street on the southside with Hawkins Street on the northside. It is to be completed in time for the commencement of work of a new Metro North station on O'Connell bridge.

However, apart from enabling works, construction of the LUAS BX will not begin until the Metro is completed in 2013.

Mr Philips also confirmed to councillors that work on the Arnotts development will be going on at the same time as metro and interconnector works.

(VB/JM)