11 hours ago
Plans to extend DART network to go ahead as judicial reviews withdrawn
Two judicial reviews for the DART+ West project linking Dublin city centre and Maynooth and the M3 Parkway have been withdrawn, paving the way for work to begin on the project next year.
An Bord Pleanála approved the Railway Order for the project in July 2024, but the court actions had delayed its progression.
Iarnród Éireann said the project will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area rail network, increasing it from 50km to 150km, extending to Maynooth, M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch and Drogheda.
Last month, it invited applications for the first phase of the tender process for the project.
Work is expected to begin at the end of 2026, while the first of 185 new carriages are due to enter service in the same year.
Irish Rail is awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála on the Railway Order it submitted for the DART+ Coastal North, which will link the city centre and Drogheda.
The planning process is still underway for the DART+ Coastal South route linking Greystones in Wicklow to Dublin city centre.
