Double tracking of Glounthaune to Midleton largely complete

Iarnród Éireann has today announced that the main construction work on the €90 million second track to Midleton are now largely complete.

Works began in September 2024 with an initial 12 months of preparatory works, including laying of the new track bed and the repositioning of the existing single track before the first piece of the new track was laid on programme in September 2025.

Aerial view of the Glounthaune to Midleton double track

Project works also included the widening of Owennacurra River Bridge Midleton, several culverts, level crossings, cuttings and embankments to accommodate the new track and all carried out alongside a live operational railway line throughout.

In addition to the installation of 7.5km of new track and repositioning of the existing track, the project also:

  • Moved 94,000T+ of earth and removed 8,750T+ of rock
  • Constructed 20 retaining walls along the track
  • Installed 10km+ of drainage
  • Laid 83,000T+ of track formation

While track laying is now largely complete, overall project completion will be in 2027, in line with completion of the re-signalling of the full Cork rail network.

Aerial view of the Glounthaune to Midleton overpass. Road bridge provides a grade-separated crossing over the railway line.

Phase 1 Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme

Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme incorporates the new €23 million platform 6 at Kent Station, together with the Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track and Cork area signalling and communications upgrade projects. This phase will deliver the network capacity to allow for significant increase in train service frequency on each of Cork’s three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow and will be fully complete in 2027.

Phase 2 Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme

Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme will provide for 8 new stations, a new depot, electrification of the network and, with delivery of a new fleet, will ultimately support up to a 10-minute rail service frequency on each of Cork’s three commuter rail lines. The second Public Consultation on Phase 2 was held in May 2026 and lodgement of a Railway Order Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected at the end 2026.

Now designated critical infrastructure, Iarnród Éireann will be able to accelerate delivery of this transformative package of projects, bringing a high capacity, high frequency and more sustainable rail network more quickly to Cork.

More information on the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme can be found on www.irishrail.ie/cacr.

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