Back on 19th August 2025 a major fire in Dublin City Centre caused significant damage to George’s Dock bridge which has meant that no trams have been able to run between Connolly and The Point since. Major work has been ongoing since and this is now starting to reach a conclusion, although there will be further disruption of the Red line before that happens with a planned one-day closure between Abbey Street and Connolly on Saturday 15th November 2025.
This closure will allow for the reinstallation of the overhead which is just the latest phase of works to return trams to the complete length of the tramway. The project is said to be progressing well and has now reached the final stages of construction (which has required the complete replacement of the damaged bridge). Recent activity has included bridge reconstruction and structural reinstatement, beam lifting and steel fixing.
After the overhead is reinstalled it will be followed by the start of dynamic testing between The Point and Connolly. This will see trams operating on the track to test power, signalling, and overhead line equipment whilst out of public service. Once testing, certification and final checks have been complete, services will resume on this section of line.
The project remains on schedule for completion by the end of November.
On Saturday 15th November trams on the Red line will only operate between Tallaght/Saggart and Abbey Street.
Currently on all other days the Red line is running Tallaght/Saggart to Connolly. A replacement bus is operating from Connolly to The Point calling at, or close to, all the stop on this section of the network.
With no trams running the tracks have started to get a bit rusty on the approach to the bridge.
Signs to confirm the bridge is closed with pedestrians also diverted away. Work is ongoing here.
The diversion takes pedestrians right around the quay but it does give a distant view of the works.
This is now the other side of the works.
The overhead at The Point has been isolated.
At The Point where the tram signal remains operational, but no trams have used it since 19th August.
This is Connolly where all Red line services are currently terminating. With line to The Point closed the signal is hooded and cones block the way.
Connolly is a busy stop at the best of times but with trams now turning here it has become even busier. Here we 3022 which is about to depart for Tallaght whilst 4013 has just arrived, destination already changed for Saggart. Frequency of operations often result in arriving trams waiting on the curve into Connolly pending a departure from either of the occupied platforms. (All Photographs by Jim Smythe, 5th November 2025)