The long-awaited €11 billion MetroLink project has finally received the green light, with Dublin set for its first underground rail system.
An Coimisiún Pleanála gave go-ahead l three years after plans were initially put forward.
It sees the construction of a fully-automated railway, 18.8km in length, that will traverse from Swords in north-county Dublin to Charlemount in the south.
Developers expect that passengers will be able to travel from Swords to Dublin city centre in approximately 25 minutes, with trains running every three minutes during peak periods.
Current figures estimate that it will carry up to 53 million passengers annually.
The long-awaited €11 billion MetroLink project has finally received the green light, with Dublin set for its first underground rail system. Credit: metrolink.ie
With a total of 16 stations, the €11 billion project will serve sixteen stations across Dublin – at Dublin Airport, Northwood, Ballymun, Collins Avenue, Griffith Park, Glasnevin, Mater, O’Connell Street, Tara, St. Stephen’s Green and Charlemont.
Another four retained cut stations will be at Seatown, Swords Central, Fosterstown and Dardistown. A grade station is also set for Estuary.
The railway is mostly underground, with a 9.4km single-bore tunnel running beneath the City Centre from Charlemont to Northwood Station.
Another 2.3km single-bore tunnel will run under Dublin Airport. North of the airport, the railway will emerge from the tunnel on its way to Estuary Station. This station will also provide a multi-storey 3000-space car park close to the M1.
Current projects see a maintenance depot located near Dardistown Station to house all facilities.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien welcomed the decision by the planning authority.
“Today’s planning news is a hugely positive step for MetroLink, which is a key strategic project for the Government and Ireland,” he said.
“I’d like to thank TII and the NTA for developing the project to this stage. MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and – by linking directly with Dublin airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services – the entire country.”
With a total of 16 stations, MetroLink will serve sixteen stations across Dublin – at Dublin Airport, Northwood, Ballymun, Collins Avenue, Griffith Park, Glasnevin, Mater, O’Connell Street, Tara, St. Stephen’s Green and Charlemont. Credit: metrolink.ie
The minister also said that the public transport route will enable the “construction of tens of thousands of new homes”.
Hugh Creegan, Interim Chief Executive and Director of Transport Planning and Investment at the National Transport Authority said the decision offers a “real transport alternative to tens of thousands of people daily.”
Applicants initially put forward plans for the MetroLink in 2022.
More than 300 parties put forward submissions about the project before public hearings in February 2023.
Credit: www.metrolink.ie
