8562 Technical Support on MetroLink Interfaces

MetroLink is a transformative piece of new public transport infrastructure which will have 16 new stations running from Swords to Charlemont. The alignment will link Dublin Airport, Irish Rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services and create a fully integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The map below shows the extent of the route which is being developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). MetroLink is currently at Railway Order stage, with a Railway Order having been submitted in mid 2022. Construction of MetroLink will impact the operation of Iarnród Éireann services on the Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) and Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) railway lines at Glasnevin, which are themselves due to be upgraded as part of the DART+ West project. This DART+ West project is also currently at Railway Order stage, again submitted in 2022, and an Oral Hearing has been held in September and October 2023 on the scheme. Iarnród Éireann now propose to appoint an MDC to support Iarnród Éireann technically in understanding and agreeing the impacts of MetroLink on Iarnród Éireann heavy rail lines, in particular at Glasnevin and Tara Street Stations. The MDC will support technical issues across both design and proposed construction methods as both the DART+ and MetroLink projects progress.