Iarnród Éireann will lodge plans this week for the extension of the electrified DART
network from the Connolly/Spencer Dock area of Dublin City to the west of Maynooth
and on to the M3 Parkway at Pace, Dunboyne Co Meath.
The company said it will deliver a more sustainable transport option for a number of
communities in the area.
The application to develop the project, DART+ West, is to be submitted to An Bord
Pleanála this week.
If planning permission is granted, construction will commence in 2024 and the new
service could start operating by 2029.
A statutory public consultation period will run from August 5th until September 30th.
Iarnród Éireann has said potentially impacted landowners and occupiers will be
contacted directly in advance of the lodgement of the order.
The application by Iarnród Éireann includes plans for a new station at Spencer
Dock, which will interchange with the Luas Red Line and a new second station
entrance on Preston Street and rail capacity enhancements at Connolly Station.
It also proposes building a new DART depot west of Maynooth Station, to maintain
the new DART+ fleet.
Iarnród Éireann’s Communications Manager Barry Kenny said the plan is about
“transforming capacity” on the Maynooth and M3 parkway lines.
Minister for Transport Éamon Ryan said, ” DART+ West will, for the first time,
connect established and new and growing communities to the west of our capital city
and into Kildare and Meath along a modern, electrified, fast and frequent rail line.
“This is the first of many railway orders to come, which will transform travel in the
greater Dublin area, and help us meet our climate targets.”
Bar any objections to the proposed plans, the upgrading of the lines are likely to be
widely welcomed by commuter-belt residents in Clonee, Dunboyne, Drumree,
