Government gives green light for spending of €1bn on Dart network

Government approval has been given for the €1 billion Dart+ West project which will double passenger capacity on the Dart network.

The Dart+ Programme will see the Dart network grow its track length from its current 50km to over 150km.

The current Maynooth line will abe electrified, while both Connolly and Docklands stations in the city centre will receive upgrades.

The DART+ Programme will involve rail improvements from:

DART+ West – Maynooth and M3 Parkway to the City Centre

DART+ South West – Hazelhatch & Celbridge to the City Centre

DART+ Coastal North – Drogheda to the City Centre

DART+ Coastal South – Greystones to the City Centre

DART+ Fleet – purchase of new train fleet to increase train services.

The programme is being funded as part of the National Development Plan.

Capacity on the Dart’s northern commuter line from Dublin city through Fingal and onto surrounding regions must be increased with more carriages secured, a Fine Gael TD has said.

“DART+ is the largest ever investment in our rail network,” Dublin Fingal TD Deputy Alan Farrell said.

“It will double the passenger capacity of the DART network, from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours, and treble the network’s length, from 50km to 150km.

“The programme consists of five complementary projects, including DART+ Coastal North which will see the electrification of the Northern Line as far as Drogheda. The emerging preferred option is currently being developed for this project.

“With 325 additional units planned for DART+, under the DART+ Fleet project, we need to see the capacity on the DART’s northern commuter line increase significantly.

“Thousands of commuters rely on the DART line from the city centre through Fingal and surrounding areas on a daily basis. We need to see a commitment within the DART+ programme that the northern line will receive additional carriages in order to increase capacity.

“Today’s announcement is an example of the Government’s prioritisation of investing in our public transport infrastructure.

“Under the National Development Plan (NDP), which funds DART+, we are funding new public transport ahead of new roads with a 2:1 spending ratio in favour of public transport projects.

“This programme will provide us with clean, green rail. It will have a huge impact on the lives of people in Dublin Fingal, but in order for it to work for our workers and families, capacity on the northern line must increase as soon as possible,” Deputy Farrell said.

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While the final budget for DART+ West has not yet been set, the cost of the project is estimated to range from €969 million to €1.1 billion (including VAT, escalation and contingency). Construction is expected to last between three and a half to four years.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “This is a hugely significant decision which fulfils one of our key public transport commitments in the Programme for Government.

“This is a tangible demonstration of progress, which will transform public transport and help us meet our climate goals.”

It is planned that permission for a railway order for DART + West will be sought from An Bord Pleanála in 2022, and that construction will take around four years.