‘First of its kind’ MetroLink project to go ahead in Dublin

A MetroLink rail project in Dublin, Ireland has been given the go-ahead from the Cabinet via a secured agreement with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.

Artist impression of Griffith Park station (Photo: Government of Ireland website)

Planning submission will be put forth in September and it is anticipated that MetroLink could be in operation in the early 2030s.

The project will consist of a fully segregated railway, most of which is reported to be underground, running from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin City Centre. The route will also include 16 stations and serve multiple residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as the City Centre, Dublin Airport.

The planned works will mean that there will be trains every three minutes during peak periods. This can rise to a service every 90 seconds by 2060 with the system capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

Minister Ryan, said, “MetroLink is a once in a generation project that is going to massively transform the public transport system in our capital city. This project in various guises has been on the table now for 2 decades, but the government’s decision on the MetroLink Preliminary Business Case marks a significant milestone.”

A project cost has not yet been confirmed but capital delivery cost is anticipated to be €9.5 billion with approximately three-quarters of the cost during the construction phase to be paid for by the exchequer and one quarter financed by a Public Private Partnership (PPP).