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{{Short description|Irish road, bus and rail infrastructure plan}}
{{cleanup-date|March 2006}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2021}}
'''Transport 21''' is a €34 billion ] plan announced on ] ] in ] by the ] ] to greatly expand ]'s transport network. It includes massive investment in the rail network, an ] tunnel under the city centre connecting ] with Spencer Dock, several new ] lines, a ] line from the centre of ] to ], expansion of the ] network, reopening of a rail link to ], completion of the motorway system, and better integration of all transport systems.
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use Irish English|date=September 2017}}
]/] scheme in ].]]
'''Transport 21''' was an ] ] plan, announced in November 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1101/transport.html | publisher = RTÉ News | title = National transport plan to cost €34bn | date = 1 November 2005 }}</ref> Its aims were to greatly expand Ireland's transport network. A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan at the time.


The plan included continuing investment in Ireland's road network, along with investment in public transport in the form of buses and rail.
==Rail projects previously planned==


After the collapse of the Irish banking system the Transport 21 project was cancelled in May 2011.
A number of railway projects were already under consideration prior to the publication of this ten year plan. These include:
===Luas extensions===


A significant portion of this investment would focus on the creation of an integrated rail network in Dublin. Projects included a ] under ] city centre connecting ] with ] and ] at ]. This would facilitate the expansion of the ] (DART) system from one line to two. Also included were several new ] lines, a ] system, and tighter integration between all rail systems, particularly at the planned ] interchange. This would create a single integrated rail network in Dublin that served the north, south, east and west of the city.
====Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line====


Other rail investment included the planned ], redevelopment of a ] and upgrading and extending ].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1126/eurozone-business.html | website = rte.ie | title = Ireland won't take part in EU stimulus plan | date = 26 November 2008 }}</ref>
*


Also included in the plan was the significant expansion of the ] passenger-carrying capacity, completion of ] linking all the major urban centres on the island, and better integration of all transport systems.<ref>A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan in 2005.</ref>
The original plan to join Dublin's two separate tram systems will now proceed. The ] (RPA) has announced the Green Line extension (line BX) from Stephen's Green to the Luas Red line and has sought public comments on five options for the route. The options are:


==Luas - Dublin==
* Route A (The original option and the RPA's preferrred route): Dawson St, Westmoreland St and O'Connell St (joining the Red line before the Abbey St stop)
===St. Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line (Line BX)===
* Route B: Stephen's Green North, Merrion Sq, Pearse Station, ], Liffey (joining the Red line after the Abbey St stop)
The RPA (Railway Procurement Agency) announced the new preferred route extension from the ] stop at St. Stephen's Green to ] (Line BX) in 2011. The route continues on from St. Stephen's Green towards Dawson Street, Grafton Street Lower, College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Street and Parnell Square. Construction of the line began in June 2013 and was opened on 9 December 2017.
* Route C: (heading down South King St) George's St, Dame St, O'Connell St (joining the Red line before the Abbey St stop)
* Route D: Dawson St, Trinity, (heading down Hawkins St) Liffey (joining the Red line after the Abbey St stop)
* Route E is the same as Route A except that a one-way system will operate, with trams heading north up Dawson St and south down Kildare St.


====Connolly to Point Depot==== ===Connolly to Point Depot (Line C1)===
The route for the Red Line extension (Line C1) from ] to the Point Depot was fixed in the early 2000s and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rpa.ie/luas/railway_orders/line_c1 |title=Luas Line C1 Railway Order Application |access-date=7 March 2007 |archive-date=16 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060816000000/http://www.rpa.ie/luas/railway_orders/line_c1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Construction works got underway in June 2007, with the centrepiece being a new bridge at the Harbourmaster Place end of Mayor Street. It was officially opened in 2009.


===Sandyford to Brides Glen (Line B1)===
*
The route for the Green Line extension (Line B1) from Sandyford to Brides Glen was chosen by the RPA and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in August 2006. The line opened on 16 October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1016/luas.html | website = rte.ie | title = Luas Green Line extension opens | date = 16 October 2010 }}</ref>
*
*


===Brides Glen to Bray (Line B2)===
The route for the Red Line extension (Line C1) from Connolly to the Point Depot has already been chosen by the RPA and will have stops at George's Dock, Mayor Sq, Spencer Dock and the Point Depot.
The route for this line had been selected (Route 2). This project is currently{{when|date=April 2021}} being reconsidered by the ].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


===Belgard to Saggart (Line A1)===
A Red Line extension was planned from Belgard to Saggart to be built as a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP). The line received planning permission in June 2008 and construction got underway in February 2009. The track from Belgard began preparing for track laying on 11 January 2010 by closing the Belgard Stop. It became operational in 2011.


====Sandyford to Cherrywood==== ===Line BX to Liffey Junction (Line D)===
Construction on the Luas Line D began in June 2013. This route uses the former Broadstone rail alignment. It opened on 9 December 2017.


==Light Rail Metro - Dublin==
*
{{see|MetroLink (Dublin)}}
A ] project has been in discussion for many years.{{vague|date=April 2021}} The construction of a ] system, similar to the ] in ], was originally planned.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


===Stephen's Green to Belinstown (Metro North)===
The route for the Green Line extension (Line B1) from Sandyford to Cherrywood has already been chosen by the RPA and will have the following Stops:
]
The RPA had announced the Metro North from ] to Belinstown north of ] via Dublin Airport and sought public comments on the route. A total of 17 stops are planned, and the length of each train would be 90m.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


In October 2006, RPA published an initial route for Metro North, with a revised route appearing in April 2008. This route is to be a Public Private Partnership initiative (PPP) and in September 2008 the RPA applied to An Bord Pleanala for a Railway Order. In 2011, due to the economic climate, Metro North was deferred for a number of years.<ref name="rte-nov2011">{{cite web|url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1110/budget-business.html | website = rte.ie | title = Metro, DART projects put off in plan | date = 10 November 2011 }}</ref>
(Please note: '''Bold Text''' = Elevated Stations, Standard Text = Street Level Stations)


===Tallaght to Dardistown (Metro West)===
'''Central Pk''', Glencairn, The Gallops, Leopardstown Valley, Ballyogan Wood, Racecourse (only open for racedays at Leopardstown Raceourse), Carrickmines, Brennanstown, Loughlinstown, '''Cherrywood, Brides Glen'''
The RPA had announced the Metro West from Tallaght to Dardistown, and had sought public comments on two route options. On 5 July 2007 the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor was announced. The route ran from Tallaght to Metro North at Dardistown, south of Dublin Airport via Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown and was approximately 25.5&nbsp;km long. This route was also to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP).


There is no timescale available for the Metro West project as it has been deferred until further notice.
The Transport 21 plan also ambitiously calls for this to continue to Bray (as did the original Harcourt Street railway line) however there have been no plans released showing the exact route or stops, and no funding has been identified for such an extension.


==DART - Greater Dublin Area==
A number of issues have been identified with this route, some linked to the possibility of upgrading the line in the future to true Metro standards.
]
Under the Transport 21 Plan, the ] network would have gone through a fundamental change from the coastally-focused north–south line which currently{{when|date=April 2021}} exists, to a two-line system which crossed the city. One of these lines (DART Line 1) would run from ]/{{rws|M3 Parkway}} to {{rws|Greystones}} via ] station, while the other (DART Line 2) would run from ] to {{rws|Hazelhatch and Celbridge}}, via the ]. Both lines would intersect at ]. {{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


===Kildare Route Project===
Such an upgrade would be impossible if the Luas line is constructed to run along existing streets. A standard (heavy) ] must be segregated from the street as it is not designed for on-street running like a tram. However since the announcement by the ] that the Metro North and West system would be a Light Metro (effectively a tram), through running between the Metro and the on-street Luas may after all be possible. However the on-street nature of the Luas line, and the number of level crossings, means that services on this line will not be able to achieve frequencies close to the 90-second frequency planned for the Metro North line. If the Luas extension were instead to follow the old Harcourt St line, avoiding the need for so many road crossings, then this higher frequency would be possible. However there are fewer people living along the route of the old Harcourt St line.
If the DART is extended from Heuston Station to Hazelhatch, it would quickly find itself in trouble,{{original research inline|date=April 2021}} as the busy ], ], ] and ] ] service as well as the ] and other ] services use the same track.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} This would cause major interference to the DART frequency and service.{{speculation inline|date=September 2023}} So ] decided to quadruple the track (originally 2 track) from Inchicore to just past Hazelhatch station.{{fact|date=November 2021}} The Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. The project was partially completed in early 2010, with the section between Inchicore and Cherry Orchard deferred to Kildare Route Project Phase 2.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adamstown.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=2 |title=Adamstown Railway Station now open |access-date=30 September 2008 |archive-date=19 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119041351/http://www.adamstown.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0805/rail.html | website = rte.ie | title = New train station opens at Park West | date= 5 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/kildare-route-project-phase-2|title=Kildare Route Project Phase 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412222238/http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/kildare-route-project-phase-2|archive-date=2016-04-12|access-date=2016-10-16|url-status=live}}</ref>


===DART Underground===
Another issue is the proposed demolition of Clonlea House which is a listed building. This proposal may potentially lead to legal action.
{{see|DART Underground}}
First suggested in the 1970s, the ] proposal called for a tunnel connecting the Northern DART line to the Kildare line. The project was shelved in 2011,<ref name="ITjan2019">{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/plans-for-liffey-bridge-derailed-by-dart-underground-scheme-1.3746924 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Plans for Liffey bridge derailed by Dart Underground scheme | date = 4 January 2019 | accessdate = 17 March 2019 | quote = ''The 7.6km was shelved by the Fine Gael-Labour government in 2011 was not included in the 10-year National Development Plan published the timeframe for the review is unknown'' }}</ref> and not included in the Greater Dublin Area Strategy 2022 to 2042 published in late 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |first=John |last=Kilraine |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2021/1109/1258759-metrolink/ |title=MetroLink postponed for ten years - NTA draft strategy |date=9 November 2021 |publisher=] | website = rte.ie | accessdate = 10 November 2021 }}</ref>


==Commuter - Greater Dublin Area==
===Spencer Dock===
===Docklands Station===
A , ] east of ] in the docklands. This would connect to the ] railway lines from ], ] and ], via the ] tunnel, ]. As such it will allow a central location for commuter services to serve the city centre of Dublin. ] ceremonies for the new station were held on ] ], with the first shovelfuls of dirt turned by Minister for Transport ].<ref>IOL (] ]), ''''. Retrieved ] ].</ref>
Under Transport 21, a new ] was built in the ] area of ] city centre. Its purpose was to increase the capacity and frequency of rail services that operate along the ] rail line, which was restricted by the heavily congested ] Station.


] ceremonies at the temporary location for the new station were held on 9 March 2006 and the station opened in March 2007.
The scope of the ] surface station seems to have been changed. It no longer has a direct interchange with ] and only connects to the Midland line meaning only ]/]/] trains will be able to use it. This is far short of what ] had led the public to believe would be built. -


By by-passing Connolly and using Docklands Station, it was possible to add extra services on the Maynooth and Longford Commuter services and it provided an alternative terminus for Western Commuter services to Clonsilla and M3 Parkway.
===DART extensions===


===Clonsilla to M3 Parkway===
The former Clonsilla to ] railway line was closed in 1963, but the trackbed was largely preserved.
Under the Transport 21 plan, a section of the disused Navan rail line would run from Clonsilla station in west Dublin to Navan in ] (42&nbsp;km). It uses Docklands Station in Dublin city centre exclusively. The first phase of the line (] to Dunboyne) included 3 new stations. It opened in September 2010. The second phase would have completed the line as far as Navan and it has been deferred until further notice.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


==Commuter - other==
In ]'s (IE) (DRP), the ] was supposed to go as far as Maynooth on the Sligo Line, Drogheda on the Northern Line as well as Kildare on the Cork/Limerick Line. However the DART extensions in the Transport 21 plan were somewhat curtailed relative to the DRP. Under Transport 21, while a DART extension to Maynooth on the Sligo line was included, DART service was proposed only as far as Balbriggan on the Northern Line and as far as Hazelhatch (Dublin/Kildare border) on the Cork/Limerick line. IE still wishes to extend the DART as far as Drogheda and Kildare.


===Mallow to Midleton - Cork===
Transport 21 also left out other DRP DART projects such as a new Dublin Airport link and the DART extension to the M3 north of Dunboyne on a reopened section of the Navan line (total cost in 2004 at €440m)
This project, to reopen part of the ]&ndash;] railway line as far as ], started construction in November 2007. New stations were built on the Northern Line to ] from Cork's Kent station and on the Eastern Line to Cobh and Midleton, as well as a new 10&nbsp;km section of rail line from Glounthaune to Midleton. A total of 7 new or reopened stations were constructed, in addition to the existing 7. The ] network received increased funding under Transport 21.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


The spur to Midleton piece of this project opened in July 2009. Seven new or renovated stations were opened during 2010.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
====Interconnector====


===Western Railway Corridor - additional phases===
Under Transport 21, the ] (WRC) from Ennis to Claremorris would have been re-opened in 3 sections.{{fact|date=September 2023}}


The first section, Ennis to Athenry, was re-opened on 30 March 2010. In September 2006, the Minister for Transport announced that the government had approved funding for ] to proceed with the development of the section. Work began in 2008, and an Intercity service is now provided between the cities of ] and ].{{fact|date=September 2023}}
''See full article: ]''


The second section, Athenry to Tuam, was deferred "until further notice".{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} The government had originally approved funding for the development of the section, subject to completion by Iarnród Éireann of a full appraisal.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


The third section, Tuam to Claremorris, was also deferred "until further notice".{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} If opened as proposed, the ]-], Galway-Dublin and Limerick-Dublin lines would have been connected together to provide inter-regional services within the Border Midland West Region.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
The Interconnector (which was in the DRP), is a tunnel, currently costed at €1.3bn, which connects the Northern DART line to Heuston Station. It will have underground stations at Spencer Dock, Pearse Station, Stephens Green and Heuston Station. There were plans to have a stop in the Liberties at the Digital Hub but this now appears to be shelved.


==Regional airports==
The Interconnector is one of the most important public transport projects in the entire Greater Dublin Area. It will fundamentally change the DART system from the coastally-focused north/south line which currently exists, to a two-line system which crosses the city.
Approximately €86 million was allocated to regional airports around Ireland. The airports included in the scheme were ]; ]; ]; ]; ] and ].


€38.7 million was spent on projects aimed at improving safety and security, including better fire fighting equipment, new Instrument Landing Systems and navigational aids and the provision of Runway End Safety Areas at a number of airports.
One of these lines would run from Maynooth to Greystones via Connolly station, while the other would run from Drogheda (Balbriggan) to Kildare (Hazelhatch) via the Interconnector. The latter of the two is based on the ] ] system and if ever required, will have a potential of operating trains up to a maximum of 12 double decker carriages which will be able to carry over 100,000 passengers an hour. The DART currently carries over 100,000 passengers a day.


The remaining €48 million had been approved for projects aimed towards catering for prospective businesses at these airports.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} However, this project was deferred until further notice.{{fact|date=September 2023}}
Although this DART system could carry passengers in far greater numbers that the Light Metro System or Luas, the Transport 21 plan has not set a high priority on the Interconnector and the DART extension and has put these off till last (expected opening date 2015).


==See also==
It has been noted that the roads to Drogheda (M1) and Kildare (N/M7) are the two busiest commuting routes into Dublin city from outside the M50, and that over 64% of Dublin traffic comes from outside Dublin (DTO 2002 report). Groups such as ] point out that the DART extensions could dramatically reduce the number of vehicles commuting in and out of Dublin.
*]
*]
*]
*]


==References==
===Kildare Route Expansion===
{{reflist}}
In order to allow the extra commuter trains/DART service, as well as existing commuter services and possible expansions to locations further out, a plan exists to quadruple-track the line out of Heuston Station. This line also currently hosts services from ], ], ], ] and ]. This particular plan was due to start several years ago. The inquiry into the application for a Railway Order is under way. An objection to the project has been lodged. - -

===Navan Railway===
This is likely not to proceed the 42 kilometres (26 miles) to ] in ] in the short or medium term as the delivery date has been set as 2015. It will however run the 7.4 kilometres (4.7 miles) to ] and ] on the ] by 2009.

There are grave misgivings about this in Meath as the Duboyne Park and ride site will be located immediately after the second M3 toll. As well as paying up to 2 tolls, Meath commuters seeking to use this will also have to pay their train tickets and parking charges, making the Dunboyne Park and Ride facility less than appealing to prospective users from areas such as Navan and north Meath.

The Navan railway line was previously announced in 2000 under the Dublin Transportation Office's "Platform for Change" programme, where Minister Noel Dempsey gave of 2003 for planning the line, 2006 for Phase 1 to Dunboyne and 2010 for the line to reach Navan.

At the time Minister Dempsey said the Platform for Change announcement was the "culmination of a campaign he has led for many years," and said that "this is the first time ever that details of the link, including a timescale, have been clearly laid out."

Navan rail campaigners are sceptical whether the government really intends to deliver the Navan rail link this time around as, like the last announcement 5 years ago almost exactly, it precedes a general election.

There are efforts by to have the 2015 Navan date brought forward, and to ensure that the Navan line becomes a reality this time around.

Indeed, to date only the 7.4 kilometres to Dunboyne has been confirmed for design.

===Western Railway Corridor===
The immediate section of the ] which is due to be reopened is from ] to ], allowing ]&ndash;] intercity services. A commuter service is intended for Galway to Athenry, serving ]. -

===Cork to Midleton===
This project, to reopen part of the ]&ndash;] railway line, as far as ], was announced some time ago. The project is currently being processed and work is likely to begin in the near future.

==New railway plans==

===Dublin Light Metro===

Although a ] for ] had been discussed for many years, plans are now in place to go ahead with a ] metro system similar to the ] in ].

A ] metro can offer a cheaper solution to the standard (heavy) ] systems found in cities such as ], ], ] and ]. It is argued that if a cheaper system is constructed, more funding will be available for new lines elsewhere. However, a ] system has its downsides. One negative point is where the system runs through a street. Traffic delays and collisions with road vehicles can cause major disruptions to service, something which has already been experienced on the ] Red Line. Another limitation of a light rail metro is its limited passenger capacity relative to a heavy rail system. With Dublin's future population projected to reach 2 million in about 15 to 20 years, only time will tell if a light rail metro is the correct option.

Under the Transport 21 plan, two lines have been announced, described in detail in the ] article.

* Metro North, running from ] to Swords, via ]
* Metro West, from the Metro North line south of Dublin Airport via ], Liffey Valley, and ] to join the Red Luas line at Cookstown where it will continue towards ].

===New Luas lines===

'''Citywest''' -

The RPA has announced a new spur off the ] Red line near the Cookstown stop heading towards Citywest. Stops are planned at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown/Outer Ring Road (Park & Ride), Citywest Campus and Fortunestown.

Also a new ] line was announced for Lucan, but to date no detailed plans have been released by the RPA. However it is believed that it will join the future Green line extension to O'Connell St at College Green and will travel down Dame St.as well as passing by Christchurch.

==Roads projects==
In contrast to the ], there is less emphasis on roads in the Transport 21 plan. The completion of the intercity (i.e. from Dublin to other cities) motorway links is planned, but this was intended under the NDP anyway. Apart from that, the ] will be upgraded to three lanes each way and freer flowing interchanges. Also an "Atlantic Highway" from ] to ] and ] is intended, although much of it will only be upgraded two-lane or 2+1 road. Limerick to Ennis (soon to be north of that) is already ].

==Criticism==
Transport 21's focus on public transport was welcomed. However, there were two common criticisms from opposition parties and lobby groups:
* Many of the projects contained in Transport 21 had already been announced, and in some cases were actually being delayed (the Navan railway above being a case in point);
* The major projects such as the ] were pushed to the end of the 10-year timeframe and their credibility was therefore questionable.

== References ==
<references />


==External links== ==External links==
* *
*
*
===Launch Documents===
*
*
*
*
*
*
*


] ]
]

Latest revision as of 15:46, 21 September 2024

Irish road, bus and rail infrastructure plan
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Transport 21" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Transport 21 signage for the M7/M8 motorway scheme in County Laois.

Transport 21 was an Irish infrastructure plan, announced in November 2005. Its aims were to greatly expand Ireland's transport network. A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan at the time.

The plan included continuing investment in Ireland's road network, along with investment in public transport in the form of buses and rail.

After the collapse of the Irish banking system the Transport 21 project was cancelled in May 2011.

A significant portion of this investment would focus on the creation of an integrated rail network in Dublin. Projects included a tunnel under Dublin city centre connecting Heuston Station with Pearse Station and Docklands station at Spencer Dock. This would facilitate the expansion of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system from one line to two. Also included were several new Luas lines, a metro system, and tighter integration between all rail systems, particularly at the planned St. Stephen's Green interchange. This would create a single integrated rail network in Dublin that served the north, south, east and west of the city.

Other rail investment included the planned Western Railway Corridor, redevelopment of a rail link from Navan to Dublin and upgrading and extending suburban rail in Cork.

Also included in the plan was the significant expansion of the Dublin Bus passenger-carrying capacity, completion of the motorway system linking all the major urban centres on the island, and better integration of all transport systems.

Luas - Dublin

St. Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line (Line BX)

The RPA (Railway Procurement Agency) announced the new preferred route extension from the Green Line stop at St. Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line (Line BX) in 2011. The route continues on from St. Stephen's Green towards Dawson Street, Grafton Street Lower, College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Street and Parnell Square. Construction of the line began in June 2013 and was opened on 9 December 2017.

Connolly to Point Depot (Line C1)

The route for the Red Line extension (Line C1) from Connolly to the Point Depot was fixed in the early 2000s and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. Construction works got underway in June 2007, with the centrepiece being a new bridge at the Harbourmaster Place end of Mayor Street. It was officially opened in 2009.

Sandyford to Brides Glen (Line B1)

The route for the Green Line extension (Line B1) from Sandyford to Brides Glen was chosen by the RPA and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in August 2006. The line opened on 16 October 2010.

Brides Glen to Bray (Line B2)

The route for this line had been selected (Route 2). This project is currently being reconsidered by the National Transport Authority.

Belgard to Saggart (Line A1)

A Red Line extension was planned from Belgard to Saggart to be built as a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP). The line received planning permission in June 2008 and construction got underway in February 2009. The track from Belgard began preparing for track laying on 11 January 2010 by closing the Belgard Stop. It became operational in 2011.

Line BX to Liffey Junction (Line D)

Construction on the Luas Line D began in June 2013. This route uses the former Broadstone rail alignment. It opened on 9 December 2017.

Light Rail Metro - Dublin

Further information: MetroLink (Dublin)

A Dublin Metro project has been in discussion for many years. The construction of a light metro system, similar to the Porto Metro in Portugal, was originally planned.

Stephen's Green to Belinstown (Metro North)

The RPA had announced the Metro North from St Stephen's Green to Belinstown north of Swords via Dublin Airport and sought public comments on the route. A total of 17 stops are planned, and the length of each train would be 90m.

In October 2006, RPA published an initial route for Metro North, with a revised route appearing in April 2008. This route is to be a Public Private Partnership initiative (PPP) and in September 2008 the RPA applied to An Bord Pleanala for a Railway Order. In 2011, due to the economic climate, Metro North was deferred for a number of years.

Tallaght to Dardistown (Metro West)

The RPA had announced the Metro West from Tallaght to Dardistown, and had sought public comments on two route options. On 5 July 2007 the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor was announced. The route ran from Tallaght to Metro North at Dardistown, south of Dublin Airport via Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown and was approximately 25.5 km long. This route was also to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP).

There is no timescale available for the Metro West project as it has been deferred until further notice.

DART - Greater Dublin Area

Proposed DART service on the Kildare Line

Under the Transport 21 Plan, the DART network would have gone through a fundamental change from the coastally-focused north–south line which currently exists, to a two-line system which crossed the city. One of these lines (DART Line 1) would run from Maynooth/M3 Parkway to Greystones via Connolly station, while the other (DART Line 2) would run from Balbriggan to Hazelhatch and Celbridge, via the DART Underground. Both lines would intersect at Pearse.

Kildare Route Project

If the DART is extended from Heuston Station to Hazelhatch, it would quickly find itself in trouble, as the busy Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway InterCity service as well as the Kildare and other Commuter services use the same track. This would cause major interference to the DART frequency and service. So Iarnród Éireann decided to quadruple the track (originally 2 track) from Inchicore to just past Hazelhatch station. The Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. The project was partially completed in early 2010, with the section between Inchicore and Cherry Orchard deferred to Kildare Route Project Phase 2.

DART Underground

Further information: DART Underground

First suggested in the 1970s, the DART Underground proposal called for a tunnel connecting the Northern DART line to the Kildare line. The project was shelved in 2011, and not included in the Greater Dublin Area Strategy 2022 to 2042 published in late 2021.

Commuter - Greater Dublin Area

Docklands Station

Under Transport 21, a new Docklands railway station was built in the Spencer Dock area of Dublin city centre. Its purpose was to increase the capacity and frequency of rail services that operate along the Sligo rail line, which was restricted by the heavily congested Dublin Connolly Station.

Groundbreaking ceremonies at the temporary location for the new station were held on 9 March 2006 and the station opened in March 2007.

By by-passing Connolly and using Docklands Station, it was possible to add extra services on the Maynooth and Longford Commuter services and it provided an alternative terminus for Western Commuter services to Clonsilla and M3 Parkway.

Clonsilla to M3 Parkway

The former Clonsilla to Navan railway line was closed in 1963, but the trackbed was largely preserved. Under the Transport 21 plan, a section of the disused Navan rail line would run from Clonsilla station in west Dublin to Navan in county Meath (42 km). It uses Docklands Station in Dublin city centre exclusively. The first phase of the line (Clonsilla to Dunboyne) included 3 new stations. It opened in September 2010. The second phase would have completed the line as far as Navan and it has been deferred until further notice.

Commuter - other

Mallow to Midleton - Cork

This project, to reopen part of the Cork–Youghal railway line as far as Midleton, started construction in November 2007. New stations were built on the Northern Line to Mallow from Cork's Kent station and on the Eastern Line to Cobh and Midleton, as well as a new 10 km section of rail line from Glounthaune to Midleton. A total of 7 new or reopened stations were constructed, in addition to the existing 7. The Cork Suburban Rail network received increased funding under Transport 21.

The spur to Midleton piece of this project opened in July 2009. Seven new or renovated stations were opened during 2010.

Western Railway Corridor - additional phases

Under Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) from Ennis to Claremorris would have been re-opened in 3 sections.

The first section, Ennis to Athenry, was re-opened on 30 March 2010. In September 2006, the Minister for Transport announced that the government had approved funding for Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the development of the section. Work began in 2008, and an Intercity service is now provided between the cities of Limerick and Galway.

The second section, Athenry to Tuam, was deferred "until further notice". The government had originally approved funding for the development of the section, subject to completion by Iarnród Éireann of a full appraisal.

The third section, Tuam to Claremorris, was also deferred "until further notice". If opened as proposed, the Westport-Dublin, Galway-Dublin and Limerick-Dublin lines would have been connected together to provide inter-regional services within the Border Midland West Region.

Regional airports

Approximately €86 million was allocated to regional airports around Ireland. The airports included in the scheme were Ireland West Airport; Kerry Airport; Sligo Airport; Donegal Airport; Waterford Airport and Galway Airport.

€38.7 million was spent on projects aimed at improving safety and security, including better fire fighting equipment, new Instrument Landing Systems and navigational aids and the provision of Runway End Safety Areas at a number of airports.

The remaining €48 million had been approved for projects aimed towards catering for prospective businesses at these airports. However, this project was deferred until further notice.

See also

References

  1. "National transport plan to cost €34bn". RTÉ News. 1 November 2005.
  2. "Ireland won't take part in EU stimulus plan". rte.ie. 26 November 2008.
  3. A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan in 2005.
  4. "Luas Line C1 Railway Order Application". Archived from the original on 16 August 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2007.
  5. "Luas Green Line extension opens". rte.ie. 16 October 2010.
  6. "Metro, DART projects put off in plan". rte.ie. 10 November 2011.
  7. "Adamstown Railway Station now open". Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  8. "New train station opens at Park West". rte.ie. 5 August 2008.
  9. "Kildare Route Project Phase 2". Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  10. "Plans for Liffey bridge derailed by Dart Underground scheme". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019. The 7.6km was shelved by the Fine Gael-Labour government in 2011 was not included in the 10-year National Development Plan published the timeframe for the review is unknown
  11. Kilraine, John (9 November 2021). "MetroLink postponed for ten years - NTA draft strategy". rte.ie. RTÉ News. Retrieved 10 November 2021.

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