By rosebell
As Ireland’s largest single investment project in the National Development Plan Review, Dublin’s MetroLink project has been awarded planning permission.
Developing from Swords to Charlemont, the high-capacity, high-frequency metro railway will comprise 16 new stations and is due to connect Dublin Airport and the city centre for the first time. Also interchanges with Irish Rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services is going to create a fully integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area.
From whole 19km route almost 11.7km will be underground, including under the city centre area and at Dublin Airport.
As an indicate that MetroLink can proceed to procurement and construction is approval of the planning, whereas last month MetroLink held market engagement events in several European cities.
Following An Coimisiún Pleanála’s planning decision and the €2bn recently allocated by the government in the National Development Plan Review for the commencement of MetroLink construction, the government now intends to establish a dedicated state delivery body for MetroLink.
According to transport minister Darragh O’Brien: “MetroLink was a key strategic project for the government and Ireland and it would be transformative for the people of North Dublin and the entire country.”
