Dublin City Council has unveiled long-awaited plans to pedestrianise College Green, with works set to begin at the end of next year.

The ambitious project, titled “Grow College Green” , carries an estimated price tag of €80 million and will transform one of the capital’s busiest and most historic locations into a largely traffic-free public plaza.

Under the proposal, a new pedestrianised space will stretch from the front gates of Trinity College down to the junction of Dame Street and George’s Street. The council published its pre-planning design this afternoon and confirmed it intends to apply for planning permission this summer. If approved, College Green could close to most traffic by the end of 2027, with construction expected to be completed by 2029.

While buses, taxis and the Luas will continue to pass in front of Trinity College towards Nassau Street, several bus routes that currently travel along Dame Street will be diverted away from the area. According to the National Transport Authority, 17 bus routes , amounting to roughly 900 bus journeys in each direction every weekday, currently operate between George’s Street and College Green.

Delivery vehicles will still be granted limited access in the mornings via the George’s Street junction.

The council says the design has been shaped by extensive public engagement over the past 18 months. This included two rounds of non-statutory consultation, more than 2,800 written submissions, and over 100 in-person meetings with residents, businesses and stakeholders. A further public consultation phase is now open on Engage.ie until 11 March, according to Dublin City Council.

Sustainability and climate resilience are central to the proposal. Plans include additional trees, climate-adaptive planting, dedicated cycling infrastructure and nature-based drainage systems aimed at reducing surface water runoff.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, said the redesigned College Green will become a vibrant destination capable of hosting both daily activity and large-scale cultural events. He described the vision as creating a space where people can gather, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.

Dublin City Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare said the goal is to reshape how people experience the heart of the capital, making it safer, greener and more accessible.

Feedback from the latest consultation, he added, will help shape the final design before it is submitted for planning , with the ambition of delivering a city centre space that serves Dubliners for decades to come.