By rosebell
The Irish government has given approval to take Dublin’s Metrolink to the detailed tender stage.
Bids will now be sought for the construction and operation of the underground line. Significant enabling works are to start on site from early next year, followed by tunnelling and station construction.
The announcement yesterday follows a reviewed Detailed Business Case estimating a cost range of €14.44–17.49bn, and a central estimate of €15.75bn.
The review, undertaken by the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority, includes contingency and inflation but excludes VAT.
The Department of Transport says the assessed benefits from MetroLink have been shown to exceed the costs, including from faster journey times and reduced traffic congestion. Firm cost ranges will only be known after the market bids are received next year.
The government says it “will build on the momentum to date to bring MetroLink into construction, working with the transport agencies to provide a world-class piece of new infrastructure for the country”.
The move to tender stage follows last week’s appointment of Jacobs-AECOM joint venture as the programme delivery partner.
MetroLink will be the largest single project in Ireland since the construction of the Ardnacrusha hydro power plant in the 1920s.
The 18.8km driverless line will be mostly underground and connect Estuary/Swords to Charlemont, with stations serving key destinations including Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Dublin City University, the Mater and Rotunda Hospitals, and Dublin city centre.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said MetroLink would help reduce traffic congestion, improve access to Dublin airport and unlock much-needed new housing.
“MetroLink will support the delivery of approximately 77,000 new homes along its route and, though its integration with other public transport services, up to 200,000 new homes across the Greater Dublin Area,” he said.
“This is a game-changer for Dublin and the wider region as we work to deliver more homes for a growing population. MetroLink will not only transform connectivity and access but also strengthen our economic competitiveness, support sustainable growth and unlock the development potential of communities across the Greater Dublin area.”
