Dart+ West €1bn project approved by Government

The Government has announced that that the Dart+ West programme has been approved and will be funded under the National Development Plan.

The project will improve rail line improvements at Maynooth and upgrade infrastructure at both Connolly and Docklands stations.

The Maynooth line will be electrified and a new rail depot will be built near the village to house the additional Dart trains.

This approval means that the project will move into the statutory planning system, with Iarnród Éireann currently considering submissions received during the recent public consultation.

Iarnród Éireann are set to apply to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order in 2022.

The Dart+ West project is part of the overall Dart+ programme being progressed by the Government which aims to increase the network from 50km to 150km.

It will also double the passenger capacity of the line to 52,000 people per hour.

The final budget and timeline for the completion of the Dart+ West programme is not yet known but the Government says that it estimates the project will cost between €969 million and €1.1 billion.

The overall Dart+ plan will include electrifying the rail lines to Drogheda and Hazelhatch to accommodate the Dart, as well as improving the existing line to Greystone, such as removing level crossings.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that it was a “hugely significant decision” and that it will help transform public transport.

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

“Dart+ will double capacity and triple the length of the commuter network in the Greater Dublin Area.

“Dart+ West, which will electrify the line to Maynooth is the first step and will also facilitate the development of the entire programme.”

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority welcomed approval of the Dart+ project, saying that it will improve service frequency for those who use the Dart.

“Under Dart+, passenger capacity and service frequency will be vastly improved for people across the rail network in the Greater Dublin Area,” she said.

Chief executive officer of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade also welcomed the announcement saying that the scheme will “enable rail to be the backbone of a sustainable, high capacity public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area and beyond.

“It will also allow us to maximise the contribution rail can make to the Cimate Action Plan and sustainable mobility.

“All elements of the DART+ Programme are underway, and our project team in Iarnród Éireann look forward to delivering the enormous benefits of DART+ as we roll out the programme.”

There are a total of five separate projects within the Dart+ programme: Dart+ Fleet, Dart+ West, Dart+ South West, Dart+ Coastal North and Dart+ Coastal South.