Belfast: Cost of Grand Central Station rises to £340m
The cost of a new transport hub in Belfast, due to open later, this year has risen to £340m, according to the infrastructure minister.
Construction work on bus and rail centre which will be known as Belfast Grand Central Station is in its final stages.
It will be the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland.
John O'Dowd confirmed the rise during question time at Stormont citing "extraordinary inflation".
DUP MLA Jonathon Buckley asked the minister to outline the "expected total cost" and if any overspend was anticipated.
Early predictions had put the cost of delivering the project at £200m.
Mr O'Dowd said a full business case was approved in November 2021 at a cost of £295m.
"The latest cost estimate is £340 million, which, as the member will be aware, is £45 million higher," he said.
"The vast majority of that cost increase is due to the extraordinary inflation that has impacted on all major capital projects."
Mr O'Dowd added that construction project is expected to be completed by end of 2025, "in line with the date indicated in the approved full business case".
The hub is situated near the current Europa Bus Centre and Great Victoria Street rail station.
It will have 26 bus stands and eight railway platforms as well as facilities for bicycles and taxis.
Translink say it will cater for up to 20 million passenger journeys a year.
