First Track Laid on Dunboyne M3 Commuter Rail Project

Date: 30 October 2009

FIRST TRACK LAID ON DUNBOYNE M3 COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT

Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey TD was joined by the Chairman of CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann Dr John Lynch to mark the first track being laid on the Dunboyne Commuter Railway at Hansfield Station.

Construction is well underway on the 7.5 kilometre double track rail line, which will branch off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla and terminate at the interchange with the M3 at Pace. A number of accommodation bridges are complete along the route, and upgrading works are continuing at Barnhill, Stirling and Dunboyne bridges.

The Royal Canal Bridge was lifted in to place in August of this year, providing a link from Clonsilla Station over the Royal Canal. Works are ongoing to each of the three stations along the route. The interchange at Pace has been substantially completed by the NRA/M3JV, providing two bridges for the Railway line and an access road into the station.

170 people are currently employed on the project, 350,000 construction man hours have been worked to date. 10,000m3 of concrete, 175,000 Tonnes of stone and 1,100 tonnes of steel have been used to date.

Service pattern upon opening will be half hourly at peak, and hourly off peak. This will build to greater frequency as demand increases.

Pace M3 station will 1,200 space car park, the largest park and ride facility in the country. There will be 300 spaces at Dunboyne. Hansfield is a developer led station, providing infrastructure for the Hansfield strategic development zone (SDZ).

The service is set to commence in 2010 and will be operated by Commuter Rolling stock. All services will terminate to Docklands Station. Initially the frequency of the service will be at 30 minute intervals at peak periods, as demand increases this will expand to 15 minute intervals at peak times. Off-peak services will be hourly.

The Clonsilla to Navan line was closed in 1963. Dunboyne has not been served by rail since 1947 when the station closed.

Further Developments on Phase 2 of the Navan Line

Iarnród Éireann has commenced design on Phase 2 of the Navan Railway line from Pace to Navan. A Railway order will be lodged in the middle of 2011 for the project. Following public consultation with residents, landowners and stakeholders and the preparation of a feasibility study a proposed route has been chosen.

The development and construction of the line is a key part of the Government-funded Transport 21 programme. The project involves the extension of the currently under construction Phase 1 Navan Railway line between Clonsilla and Pace to the north edge of Navan. The preferred route is mostly on the alignment of the old Navan Railway line.

Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D said: “this investment represents the latest phase of the Transport 21 programme, and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to bringing quality public transport to our communities. From an economic and environmental point of view, not to mention quality of life to commuters, the Dunboyne line will be a very significant addition to our public transport network, and we look forward to the delivery of phase 2 of the Meath Commuter rail investment, to Navan.”

Chairman of CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann, Dr. John Lynch said: for “we are delighted at how well this key project is progressing and the laying of the first track is a significant milestone to rebuild and reopen the line from Clonsilla to Dunboyne which is the 1st phase of the Navan Railway line reopening, which will be enormous benefit to commuters in the wider Meath area and West Dublin”