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AN APPLICATION TO extend the Dart from Malahide to Drogheda has been approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The extension, which will serve communities along the coast from Dublin, will go from Malahide to Drogheda MacBride Station.
The project, called DART+ Coastal North, aims to significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.
Irish Rail said that once the project is completed, the capacity on the section between Malahide and Drogheda will nearly double in capacity from about 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak times.
It said the increase in services will be subject to demand and will be part of a separate timetable consultation process in conjunction with the National Transport Authority.
A procurement process for a design and build contractors will now commence. Once the contractors have been appointed, there will be “a period of detailed design” before construction begins.
Subject to funding being allocated, Irish Rail said construction is anticipated to take around three years.
The planned infrastructure improvements as part of DART+ Coastal North include 37km of electrification of the railway line between Malahide and Drogheda MacBride stations, improvement of Howth Junction and Donaghmede Station, and modification to Fairview and Drogheda train depots to support the new train fleet.
The existing track layout in the vicinity of Drogheda MacBride, Malahide, Clongriffin and Howth Junction and Donaghmede stations will be reconstructed, and a new platform will also be constructed at Drogheda MacBride.
The track layout north of Malahide will also be reconfigured to provide a train turnback facility that doesn’t move rail operations nearer to the adjacent residences.
Irish Rail said all civil, bridge and ancillary works will take place as necessary to accommodate the project.
“Today is a great day for the communities of North Dublin and Louth,” chief executive Jim Meade said.
“The provision of DART services will transform commuting for the existing and new communities along this railway corridor. It will make travelling with us more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable.”
Hugh Creegan from the National Transport Authority said the project’s approval is “a significant milestone in the transformation of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area and for the communities across North Dublin, East Meath, and Louth”.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien also welcome the approval of the project, adding that the overhead electric wires being extended from Malahide to Drogheda “will facilitate a significant improvement in train capacity and frequency on the Northern commuter line, following project procurement and construction”.
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