IRISH Rail (IÉ) has appointed Jacobs to provide multi-disciplinary consultancy services for the upgrade of the 140km line from Portarlington, on the Dublin - Cork main line, to Galway on the west coast of Ireland.
The framework agreement concluded between IÉ and Jacobs has a term of four years, with an option to extend for a further four years. The value of the framework was not disclosed.
Jacobs will initially assist IÉ with delivering the pre-feasibility, feasibility and preferred option selection phases of the project. This will include work to examine options for increasing line capacity, raising line speeds and increasing service frequency.
Portarlington - Galway forms part of the core inter-city network identified as an investment priority by the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, completed by Ireland’s Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland in August 2024.
The review recommends raising the maximum speed to 200km/h, and widening sections of the inter-city network to two or four tracks to enable service frequencies to be increased to at least hourly.
“This major improvement project aims to significantly enhance capacity, reduce journey times and increase service frequency for passengers, improving connectivity for communities and businesses,” says Jacobs executive vice-president, Keith Lawson.
“The complexity of this programme necessitates an integrated approach encompassing transport planning, stakeholder engagement, environmental considerations, urban development and more.”
For detailed data on rail projects across Europe, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
