By Ashley Karen
The Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has selected a member of the SNC Lavalin Group, Atkins, to conduct the detailed design of the advance works program for the Dublin Metrolink project.
The company’s Dublin-based team will oversee the program for the submitted 18.8km metro line that will operate from Swords to Charlemont in the city center. As stated, much of the route will be underground.
The program includes seven contracts comprising works like utility diversions, archaeological and heritage works, facilitation of land access and environmental monitoring.
Over the coming year, Atkins will develop detailed design and tender documents for the program of advance works contracts that will come before the major infrastructure works.
The mentioned works will acquire a site readiness level to ease the mobilization of Metrolink’s main infrastructure works.
The plan was to begin construction of the route in 2021 and complete it by 2027, but design and planning delays moved this timeline.
Also, the actual route was envisioned to operate for 26km; however, a revised scaled-back route for the line was revealed in 2019.
In its current form, the Metrolink project contains a high-capacity and high-frequency metro railway with 16 new stations.
The alignment will connect Dublin Airport, Dublin Area Rapid Transit, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Luas services and make a completely integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area.
Moreover, MetroLink will link the fundamental destinations comprising Ballymun, the Mater Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin.
Ground investigations for the project got underway in December 2019.
