Transport 21 - DART Underground

Project Title	DART Underground
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Project Description	DART Underground will deliver a second high capacity DART line which will run underground through the heart of Dublin City Centre. The twin boretunnels will be approximately 7.6 km in length and will connect the Northern and Kildare rail lines, with underground stations strategically located at Spencer Dock, Pearse, St. Stephen's Green, Christchurch and Heuston Station, as well as a new surface DART station at Inchicore. This project is receiving funding from the EU under TEN-T 2009 programme. The DART Underground is considered to be the vital “backbone” of an integrated public transport system for Dublin. Crucially, it will eliminate many of the existing city centre capacity constraints that are attributed largely to the existing Loop Line connecting Pearse and Connolly Stations. Higher capacity and more frequent services can be provided by allowing diversion of traffic from the existing congested city centre line, and by reconfiguring DART and suburban rail services so that there is through-running of services between different corridors. For example, existing DART services from Bray/Greystones will run on from Pearse Station to Maynooth/Dunboyne, with the option to transfer at Pearse to the DART Northern or outer commuter services. The DART Underground will thus open up access to the city centre by rail from the range of inner and outer commuter locations. By linking key nodes such as Heuston, Pearse, Spencer Dock and St. Stephen’s Green, it will also facilitate easy interchange between all rail systems - DART, Commuter, InterCity, Luas and Metro - and with bus. Only electrified trains may run in the DART Underground tunnel – this has implications for the extent of the suburban lines that may benefit from through-running and also for the rolling-stock acquisition programme. Development plans include the extension of the DART network to Maynooth, Hazelhatch/Celbridge and the Northern line. The planning and design of this project is being part-funded by the Ten-T Executive Agency of the European Commission.
Projected Completion Date	2018 (Subject to the relevant statutory process and the procurement and contract award processes. The start and completion dates of projects which have not yet commenced, including the Dart Underground, will also be determined by the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate).
Current Status of Project	The preliminary design of the project has been completed. Work is currently underway on the scheme design, geotechnical investigation and preparation of an environmental impact study including a detailed archaeological report. Iarnród Éireann undertook further public consultations during November and December 2009 in the lead up to the Railway Order application. Iarnród Éireann submitted an application for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanala on 30 June 2010. This project will be undertaken as a PPP.
Link	http://www.irishrail.ie/projects/dart_underground.asp

Last updated: 23/07/2010