IRISH Rail (IÉ) has appointed AtkinsRéalis as a multi-disciplinary consultant for the Dart+ West and South West upgrade projects. These projects form part of Irish Rail’s Dart+ Programme, aimed at expanding Dublin’s commuter network to serve new and existing communities.
AtkinsRéalis has been assigned to Phase 5a of both projects, which involves reviewing earlier designs and preparing documents for contractor procurement. The company has previously worked on Dart+ South West up to the Railway Order stage.
The €1.5bn Dart+ West project will involve electrifying the line from Dublin Connolly station to Maynooth, the branch from Clonsilla to M3 Parkway, and the section from Glasnevin to a new station at Spencer Dock that will replace IÉ’s Docklands station. The project will double train frequency to 12 trains per hour on the 40km corridor.
Another 20km of electrification will take place in the second phase, Dart+ South West, which will increase capacity on the existing 16km line between Hazelhatch and Heuston station in Dublin, and from Heuston to Glasnevin on the 4km Phoenix Park Tunnel branch. Dart+ South West will increase capacity from 12 to 23 trains per hour and passenger capacity from 5000 to 23,000.
The Dart+ South West project is expected to be completed in July 2029 and is estimated to cost €1bn.
Dart+ is described by IÉ Dart+ programme director, Mr Colm Reynolds, as the “largest and most ambitious” project undertaken since the original construction of the Dart commuter network.
“Progressing Dart+ West and South West through this phase is an important step towards better connecting our communities with high-quality and sustainable public transport,” he says.
“This expansion project will reduce road congestion and cut carbon emissions, cementing Ireland's commitment to a net-z ero future in line with the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan.”
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