MetroLink Secures Approval to Transform Dublin’s Transport Landscape

The MetroLink rail line, poised to be the largest infrastructure project in the history of the State, has received approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála. This decision, finalized on March 7, 2024, marks a significant milestone in a journey that has spanned over three years of planning and decades of aspirations. The project aims to connect north Dublin to the city, notably serving Dublin Airport, and has been a part of government policy for the last 25 years.

The approved line extends 18.8 kilometers from Swords to Dublin Airport, continuing through Ballymun, Glasnevin, O’Connell Street, and St Stephen’s Green before concluding at Charlemont. The railway order closely aligns with the original application submitted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in September 2022, with the entire project receiving the green light and only 31 conditions attached, primarily concerning construction controls and traffic management.

This approval comes in stark contrast to the last attempt to develop a metro in 2010, when the former planning body, An Bord Pleanála, reduced the project by three stops and 2.3 kilometers, ultimately leading to its cancellation the following year due to financial constraints amid a recession. The current decision offers a sense of relief to supporters, particularly Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Transport, whose constituency includes Swords, the third-largest town in the State with a population exceeding 40,000.

Residents of Swords currently lack rail service and depend entirely on buses, facing peak hour journeys exceeding one hour to reach the city. The MetroLink is expected to cut this travel time to approximately 25 minutes. While the project is seen as a vital development for the region, it is not without its detractors. Over 300 submissions were made regarding the planning application, with approximately 120 individuals voicing objections during the hearings.

Concerns raised include the potential demolition of homes and businesses, property damage, and opposition to specific station locations and designs. The commission acknowledged the likelihood of “significant adverse impacts” in several areas but maintained that these must be weighed against the considerable societal benefits of establishing a high-quality underground rail system.

Those affected by the project will be entitled to financial compensation, and they, along with other objectors, have six weeks to initiate judicial review proceedings against the commission’s decision. Nevertheless, this potential legal action will not impede TII, or the newly announced “statutory delivery body,” from soliciting indicative tenders for the construction of MetroLink. These bids will shape the final business case that must be presented to the government for approval.

If the current government is satisfied with the indicative costs, which are projected to exceed €3.5 billion, a preferred bidder will be selected, leading to a final contract requiring government endorsement. This process is anticipated to culminate in 2027, at which point construction can commence. The duration of this phase will depend on the chosen consortium, with estimates suggesting it will take at least eight years, positioning the arrival of the first trains around 2035.

The MetroLink initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing Dublin’s transport infrastructure, with the potential to reshape the commuting experience for many residents in the region.