Transport Infrastructure Ireland has lodged its application for planning approval for the new Dublin MetroLink rail system with An Bord Pleanála.

MetroLink consists of a new, fully-segregated railway, most of which will be underground, between the Swords area of north Dublin and Charlemont in the south city. The route will serve several residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as Dublin Airport, the city centre, and major employment, education and other facilities. 

By interchanging with heavy rail, DART, Luas and bus services, MetroLink will connect to more than a million people in the Dublin area and more across the country. “This key national project will enhance accessibility and connectivity, improve the quality of the urban environment in Dublin, and help decarbonise the transport sector,” said TII. 

The next steps are:

• Assuming timely planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, and Government approval at MetroLink in 2023 as part of Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code, the procurement process for the project will be finalised in 2025. 
• On this basis, a final project tender price for the project could be submitted to government for its decision at Decision Gate 3 in 2025. MetroLink could commence construction in late 2025 and would start operations in the early 2030s.

Minister for transport Eamon Ryan said: I am delighted that today we have met our commitment with the submission of a planning application for the route. Securing planning approval is vital for MetroLink and I am keen to see construction of the project start as soon as possible.
 
“MetroLink is a flagship project, but it is also one of a suite of major public transport investments that we have secured ongoing funding for, underlining commitments to transform the way people can move around both our cities and rural Ireland.”

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TII chief executive Peter Walsh commented: “I believe that MetroLink will enable truly sustainable development for the country, and I call for the support from all stakeholders to facilitate its timely progression through the planning process.”

The plans for MetroLink envisage a line almost 20km in length, at 18.8km, with 15 stations initially and more to open subsequently; trains every three minutes at peak time capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers in each direction every hour; one airport terminal with two interconnecting train stations on route, one main Luas connection, and enhanced connectivity to two intercity train stations.

Right now, the capital cost is estimated at €9.5 billion and the government says this will yield benefits worth €13.7 billion to the economy over 60 years. The line will mostly be underground.

The stations on its route will connect to Irish Rail, DART and DART+ services at Tara Street and Glasnevin train stations, Luas services (at the Charlemont stop), bus and BusConnects services, as well as to Dublin Airport.
It will be fully automated and will offer transport to circa 100 million passengers per annum by 2060, says TII. 

MetroLink trains and stations will have accessible and safe designs to improve mobility for all passengers.

During peak periods there will be a capacity of 20 trains per hour each way, at a frequency of three minutes between trains when operations commence. This can rise to a service every 90 seconds by 2060, with MetroLink capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

Peak passenger demand is anticipated to rise to 15,000 passengers per direction per hour by 2060. For comparison, the maximum capacity of the Luas is circa 9,000 passengers per direction per hour, and it is not considered feasible to upgrade it beyond a maximum capacity of circa 12,000.

Dependent on the outcome of the planning and procurement processes, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence in 2025 with a view to operation in the early 2030s.