First major DART+ West enabling works to begin this weekend

Iarnród Éireann has announced that the first major infrastructure enabling works on the DART+ West project will begin this weekend.

DART+ West is part of the wider DART+ Programme, which will double passenger capacity and treble the electrification of Iarnród Éireann’s Greater Dublin Area rail network. The project will bring DART style frequency to rail services operating between Kilcock/M3 Parkway and Dublin.

Track Lowering Works Between Hansfield and M3 Parkway

The enabling works commencing this weekend involve track lowering at two bridges between Hansfield and M3 Parkway to facilitate future electrification.

The works will involve the removal of the existing track formation, followed by excavation to lower the track level. This will allow the future installation of overhead power lines required for the DART+ fleet without the need to modify the height of the existing road bridges over the railway.

Works will commence after the last service on Friday 30th October and continue until the first service on Monday 2nd November, when normal services will resume. A total of 120 Iarnród Éireann personnel will work around the clock throughout the weekend to deliver the project. The planning and execution of these enabling works are being carried out entirely in-house by Iarnród Éireann.

 

DART+ West Enabling Works Programme

There are a number of enabling works packages as part of DART+ West:

• Survey Control, implementing survey points throughout the DART+ network for the main works contracts.
• Archaeological Survey.
• Spencer Dock Station site enabling works.
• Utilities diversion works.

Service Disruption and Customer Information

To facilitate these works, there will be no rail services between Clonsilla and M3 Parkway stations on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November.

Bus transfers will operate between Clonsilla, Hansfield, Dunboyne and M3 Parkway stations to a revised timetable.

Key Infrastructure Improvements Planned for DART+ West

The DART+ West project includes:

• 40km of electrification and re-signalling between Kilcock, M3 Parkway and the city centre.
• A new second station entrance at Connolly Station via Preston Street, along with rail capacity enhancements.
• Construction of a new Spencer Dock Station with direct interchange to the Luas Red Line.
• Closure of six level crossings and the provision of replacement access arrangements for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
• Construction of a new DART depot west of Kilcock Station, subject to securing a separate Railway Order.
• Associated civil engineering, bridge and ancillary works.
• Deployment of new electric DART carriages on Kilcock and M3 Parkway services.

Transforming Rail Travel Across the Greater Dublin Area

The DART+ Programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority.

The programme will double passenger carrying capacity in the Greater Dublin Area from 26,000 to 52,000 passenger journeys per direction per hour. The electrified DART network will expand from 50 kilometres to 150 kilometres, extending services to Kilcock, M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch and Drogheda.

This expansion will deliver a more sustainable, reliable and frequent rail service while improving capacity across all rail corridors serving Dublin. The programme will also deliver significant environmental benefits through the introduction of a new electrified fleet.

New DART+ Fleet

In addition to the infrastructure programme, 285 new carriages have been ordered for the DART+ fleet, with the potential for up to 750 carriages under a framework agreement with French manufacturer Alstom.

Testing, commissioning and regulatory processes are currently underway, with the first trains expected to enter service on the Drogheda line in the second quarter of 2027.

A Major Milestone

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, said:

“Today marks a major milestone as we move from planning to delivery of the DART+ Programme. DART+ West is the first major infrastructure element of the programme to enter construction, and it will provide additional rail capacity, a new depot and electrification works to support a much improved rail service on both the DART+ West line and for the wider DART+ programme as a whole.”

Progressing Rail Investment Nationwide

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said:

“I am delighted to see another key project progress from planning and into construction. We are progressing rail projects right across the country. In the west, through the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Claremorris to Athenry, in the south, through advancing Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme and in the Greater Dublin Area, through the DART+ Programme.”

A Statement of Intent

Niall Butler, Delivery Director, Capital Investments, Iarnród Éireann, said:

“This is a huge milestone for us at Iarnród Éireann. These enabling works signal the commencement of the most transformative public transport infrastructure investment programme that our rail network has ever seen. We are delighted to be progressing these works utilising our in-house resources to design and undertake the works. We believe the commencement of these works represents a real statement of intent to deliver the scheme and sends a very positive message to our supply chain as we work toward the next stage of our tender process.”

First Visible Steps in bringing benefits of DART+ West to communities along the corridor

Eoin Gillard, Assistant Director of Transport Investment, National Transport Authority, said:

“The commencement of these enabling works marks an important milestone in the delivery of the DART+ West project. This investment will expand the electrified rail network, increase capacity and deliver more frequent services for thousands of passengers travelling across the Greater Dublin Area. As a key part of the wider TFI network, DART+ West will improve connectivity, provide greater travel choices and support the continued development of the region. These works are the first visible steps in bringing the benefits of DART+ West to communities along the corridor.”

DART+ Programme status

 

Subject to relevant approvals, Iarnród Éireann will issue tender packs for three design and build single supplier frameworks to be used across the entire DART+ Programme, for:

• Electrification of the extended DART+ network
• Signalling & Telecoms works
• Civil and structural works

In addition, three specific standalone tenders will be issued for Design and Build works:

• The new Spencer Dock Station in Dublin city centre, part of DART+ West
• Connolly Station works, including the development of a new station entrance at Preston Street, part of DART+ West
• The provision of a new fleet depot west of Kilcock