Irish Rail or Iarnród Éireann has awarded the upgrade contract of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) Coastal lines network to British design, engineering and architecture firm Arup.
Arup will be providing multidisciplinary engineering services, as part of the DART+ Programme.
With the constant expansion of Dublin and its surrounding areas, the DART+ Programme plans to transform local mobility through major infrastructure expansion projects, which will create a 150km rail network, tripling Dublin’s city and commuter lines.
The present DART system spans 50km from Malahide/Howth in north County Dublin to southwards as far as Greystones in County Wicklow, while connecting the city centre and surrounding coastal areas.
The DART Coastal line expansion aims to reduce private car usage, while supporting the nations ambitions to provide an efficient public transport network and contribute to Ireland’s promise of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
The upgrade involves not only providing electrified services from Dublin city centre to as far north as Drogheda in County Louth but also improving services along the entire length of the south-eastern line to Greystones in County Wicklow.
Arup director Peter Adams said: “This is rail’s time: as a user-friendly and sustainable travel mode, DART+ unlocks the potential for rail to become the key to Ireland’s sustainable mobility. Our multidisciplinary team is passionate about creating an efficient and seamless passenger experience.”
A mixed team of civil, rail, structural, bridge, traffic and transport engineers, digital advisors and environmental consultants will come together to design and upgrade 80km of new rail connections.
The design and planning phase will commence in early 2021, extending until 2024, while the tendering and construction will go on until 2027.
