First major DART+ West Enabling Works to begin

Iarnród Éireann has announced that the first major infrastructure enabling works on the DART+ West project will begin this weekend.

DART+ West is part of the wider DART+ Programme which will double the passenger capacity and treble the electrification of Iarnród Éireann’s Greater Dublin Area rail network, with DART+ West itself set to bring DART style frequency to Kilcock/M3 Parkway to Dublin rail services.

The enabling works beginning this weekend are track lowering works, which will take place at two bridges between Hansfield and M3 Parkway to facilitate future electrification.

The works will involve the removal of existing track formation. Excavation works will then take place to lower the track level. The Overheard Power Lines required to operate the DART+ Fleet will then be installed later without the need to modify the height of the existing road bridges over the railway.

Works will commence after last service on Friday 30^th October and will continue until first service on Monday 2^nd November, when normal services will resume. A total of 120 Iarnród Éireann personnel will work 24/7 throughout the weekend to deliver this works. The planning and execution of these enabling works is being done exclusively in house by Iarnród Éireann.

There are a number of Enabling Works packages as part of DART+ West:

Survey Control, implementing survey points throughout the DART+ Network for the Main Works Contracts
Archaeological Survey
Spencer Dock Station site enabling works
Utilities diversion

Customers are advised that, to facilitate the enabling works, there will be no rail services between Clonsilla and M3 Parkway Stations on Saturday 31^st October and Sunday 1^st November. Bus transfers will operate between Clonsilla and Hansfield, Dunboyne and M3 Parkway Stations, to a revised schedule.

The planned infrastructure improvements for DART+ West include:

40Km of electrification and re-signalling of the route Kilcock and M3 Parkway to the city centre, to allow more trains operate, and more sustainably.
A new second station entrance on Preston Street and rail capacity enhancements at Connolly Station.
Construction of a new station at Spencer Dock with direct interchange with the Luas Red Line.
Closure of six level crossings & provision of replacements accesses where required for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, to ensure increased service frequency does not result in road congestion at level crossings, or impact on connectivity within communities.
Construction of a new DART depot facility west of Kilcock Station, to maintain the new DART+ fleet, subject to securing a separate Railway Order
All civil, bridge and ancillary works as necessary to accommodate the project.
New electric DART carriages for the DART+ Programme will be deployed on Kilcock/ M3 Parkway services.

The DART+ Programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority.

It is a transformative programme of projects that will double the passenger capacity for rail services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), from 26,000 passenger journeys per direction per hour to 52,000. The DART network will increase from 50 kilometres to 150 kilometres, extending to Kilcock/M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch and Drogheda - transforming train travel across the Dublin commuter belt. It will provide a sustainable, electrified, reliable and more frequent rail service improving capacity in all rail corridors serving Dublin, bringing DART travel with all its benefits to new and existing communities. The provision of a new electrified fleet will improve capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the infrastructure development, 285 carriages have been ordered for the DART+ Fleet, with up to 750 in total possible under a framework contract with French fleet manufacturer Alstom. Testing, commissioning and regulatory process is underway and the first trains are expected to enter service on the Drogheda line in Q2 of 2027.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, who visited Dunboyne Station today to mark the commencement of infrastructure enabling works, said:

Today marks a major milestone as we move from planning to delivery of the DART+ Programme. DART+ West is the first major infrastructure element of the programme to enter construction, and it will provide additional rail capacity, a new depot and electrification works to support a much improved rail service on both the DART+ West line and for the wider DART+ programme as a whole.

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said:

“I am delighted to see another key project progress from planning and into construction. We are progressing rail projects right across the country. In the West, through the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Claremorris to Athenry, in the South, though advancing Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme and in the Greater Dublin Area, through the DART+ Programme.”

Niall Butler, Delivery Director, Capital Investments for Iarnród Éireann said:

“This is a huge milestone for us at Iarnród Éireann. These enabling works signal the commencement of the most transformative public transport infrastructure investment programme that our rail network has ever seen. We are delighted to be progressing these works in collaboration with our colleagues in Iarnród Éireann, utilising our in house resources to design and undertake these works. We believe the commencement of these works represents a real statement of intent to deliver the scheme, a very positive message for our supply chain as we work toward the next stage of our tender process"

Assistant Director, Transport Investment with the National Transport Authority, Eoin Gillard said:

“The commencement of these enabling works marks an important milestone in the delivery of the DART+ West project. This investment will expand the electrified rail network, increase capacity and deliver more frequent services for thousands of passengers travelling across the Greater Dublin Area. As a key part of the wider TFI network, DART+ West will improve connectivity, provide greater travel choices and support the continued development of the region. These works are the first visible steps in bringing the benefits of DART+ West to communities along the corridor.”