Cabinet has signed off on the LUAS Finglas project.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan received the go-ahead from Cabinet to expand the existing Luas tram network from Broombridge out to the Finglas area.
Under the plan, the Luas network will be expanded by nearly 4km from Broombridge, with stops at St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road and Charlestown.
A new bridge will be built over the Tolka and a new bridge will be built at Broombridge to facilitate the works, per Government plans on the project published in 2021.
Government statistics project that as many as 10,000 cars could be taken off the road if the project is built, and it would result in 5,500 more people using public transport to travel into Dublin city centre each day.
Broombridge, which currently serves as the start and end point for the Green line, will be the lynchpin of the project and the timing of the Luas expansion syncs up with the DART+ West expansion.
Broombridge has seen a hive of activity in recent weeks following the launch of the orbital D7 bus service which now allows commuters to travel between Broombridge and Heuston Station.
As is the case with any major infrastructure project in Ireland, questions were immediately raised about when exactly the project would be delivered – the Metrolink was first recommended all the way back in 2005 as a frame of reference – but the Government insisted that the Luas Finglas line could be operational by 2031 if the planning, construction and funding process hit no roadblocks.
The Irish Independent reported that the plan would enter the planning system before Christmas, meaning that regardless of who wins the upcoming general election the project will still proceed in the event a different party is controlling the purse strings.
The planned LUAS expansion is part of the National Transport Authority’s plan for the Greater Dublin Area between 2022 and 2042.
Once the project is up and running, it would cut the time to get from Finglas to Dublin City Centre by around 30 minutes.
The government projects that the Luas Finglas project would generate an extra 1.3 million low-carbon public transport trips in 2035, with that figure increasing to 1.8 million in 2050.
Improvements to walking and cycling networks have also been touted as part of the works, with a 350-vehicle park-and-ride facility to be provided near the St. Margaret’s Road stop.
Minister Ryan said, “the Government’s approval of the Luas Finglas project today forms part of our commitment to significantly invest in public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system.”
“Since it started 20 years ago, the Luas tram system has been a public transport success story for Dublin’s citizens and visitors. We can look forward to the Luas extending to Finglas along a Green track line that will open up lands for more transport-orientated housing development along the way, which we really need.”
“The Luas Finglas project will bring reliable, high-frequency and sustainable transport to well-established and new communities, allowing people to access opportunities for employment, education, healthcare and other services. I am delighted that the government’s approval has started that journey.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said “it is very positive to see progress on Luas Finglas, a project that was identified as a key priority in our GDA Transport Strategy, 2022-42.”
“I believe that an ambitious and exciting project like this has the potential to be transformative for this part of the city and that it will further enhance the area for people who live here, work here, or want to run a business here.”
Peter Walsh, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland said “the Government’s decision to allow TII to seek planning approval for the 4km extension of the Luas system is a very appropriate 20th birthday present for the Luas system.”
Local Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe said “it is important to say that this was an agreed point on the project journey and not just something being done before an election.”
“It is great to see that it will be approved and not delayed until after a new government is formed.”
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who will not be contesting the general election, has called on voters to back party colleague Noel Rock in his re-election bid in Dublin North-West, saying that the project “needs a champion in the Dáil to keep the pressure on”
Statistics produced in April found that the Luas system carried 48.2 million passengers in 2023, and TII are now looking to extend their pre-existing contract with the French company Transdev which operates Luas services.
The TII has put a €1.75 billion price tag on the new proposed Luas service to Finglas as well as associated maintenance costs.