National Transport Authority’s (NTA’s) updated Guidance on Planning for and Undertaking Phase 7b as well has serving as the formal Project Completion Report (PCR) and Ex-Post Evaluation Report (EPE) for the project that was originally developed jointly for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) and the NTA.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel (PPT) Project aimed to improve rail connectivity by reintroducing scheduled passenger services through the tunnel, linking the Kildare Line with Dublin City Centre. The project was a collaboration between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) and sought to enhance commuter options, reduce congestion, and support public transport integration.
The PPT Project was launched in November 2016 after infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements were completed. Key project achievements include:
- Direct city-centre access for Kildare Line commuters without the need to interchange at Heuston Station.
- Increased public transport capacity and patronage along the corridor.
- Improved journey times and service reliability.
The approved budget for the project was €13.7 million, with an initial estimate of €13.46 million. The final project cost was €13.488 million, representing 98% of the allocated budget. Cost overruns in civil, mechanical, and electrical works were offset by savings in Per Way Works, keeping the project within contingency limits. Overall, the project remained within its allocated contingency, indicating effective financial management.
The project experienced a five-month delay beyond the planned completion date, primarily due to unforeseen challenges with existing infrastructure. Issues such as deficiencies in station structural steel works and unexpected soil conditions required design modifications and extended project timelines. Despite these setbacks, the project was successfully completed and operational by November 2016.
The project achieved its intended objectives, delivering the required infrastructure improvements and initiating new passenger services. The implementation adhered to governance and project management frameworks set by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann (IÉ). However, the lack of an ex-post evaluation plan limited the ability to comprehensively measure long-term project benefits.
The ex-ante Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was projected at 3.0, while the ex-post BCR was assessed at 2.4. The reduction is attributed to higher-than-expected operational costs. However, the project continues to deliver significant transport benefits, supporting increased rail usage and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
The PPT Project was delivered within budget, with minor delays and slight reductions in the expected economic return. Despite these factors, the project successfully enhanced Dublin’s rail infrastructure and provided long-term value by improving connectivity, reducing congestion, and encouraging public transport use.
