Summary
DART+ West is the first phase of the DART+ Programme, which aims to significantly increase capacity on all the rail corridors serving the Greater Dublin Area. DART+ West will electrify the Maynooth Line, which runs from Spencer Dock and Connolly Station in Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth to the west. It will also increase the current passenger capacity of 4,500 per hour to 13,200 per hour in 2025.
Roughan & O’Donovan acted as a sub-consultant to IDOM on the project. Working together with IDOM and Iarnród Éireann’s delivery team, we completed the option selection and design stages, Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Appropriate Assessment and draft Railway Order documentation submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The project was approved with modifications in 2024.
Key infrastructural improvements
- Approximately 40km of electrification and re-signalling of the Maynooth and M3 Parkway lines to the city centre
- Capacity enhancements at Connolly Station, including modifications to junctions, to facilitate increased train and passenger numbers
- Provision of a new station at Spencer Dock to better serve the north Docklands area and improve the interchange with the Luas
- Closure of level crossings and provision of replacement bridges where required
- Construction of a new DART depot facility west of Maynooth for the maintenance and parking of trains
- Interventions at existing bridges over the rail line where insufficient clearances for overhead electrification equipment exist
- Substations, electrical buildings and all other civil and ancillary works necessary to accommodate the project
Sustainability
By delivering an integrated, electrified, fast and reliable rail service, DART+ West will:
- enhance public transport opportunities for work, education and leisure purposes
- facilitate the future growth and development of existing and new communities
- alleviate road congestion
- build a sustainable and connected city region
- support the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society
- encourage a move away from private cars to a reliable, efficient and safe public transport network
- improve multimodal transport connectivity through interchange with the Luas at Broombridge and the proposed Spencer Dock Station and with the proposed Metrolink at Glasnevin/Phibsborough
Services provided:
- Option selection
- Design of level crossing replacements
- Bridge design
- Traffic impact assessment
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Appropriate Assessment
- Flood Risk Assessment
- Planning and railway order
- Stakeholder engagement
