[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Times

Dart underground plan lodged

An artist's impression issued by Irish Rail of the proposed Heuston Dart Underground station

ÉANNA Ó CAOLLAÍ

The formal application for the Dart underground rail project in Dublin has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

If approved, the Dart underground, which is estimated to cost at least €2.5 billion, will deliver a high-capacity rail line through the city centre.

The €2.5 billion project will involve the construction and operation of some 8.6 km of new rail, 7.6 km of which will be in twin-bore tunnels.

The tunnels will connect the northern and Kildare rail lines with underground stations located at Spencer Dock, Pearse, Station, St Stephen’s Green, Christchurch and Heuston Station, as well as a surface Dart station at Inchicore.

Frequency and capacity on the Dart Northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines will be increased while the Dart would be extended to Maynooth, Hazelhatch/Celbridge and the Northern line, with Pearse Station acting as a central hub connecting all lines.

It is estimated that as many as 7,000 people will be employed each year during its proposed construction.

Iarnród Éireann said the system will be up and running by 2018.

The Government says the network will treble the numbers travelling on the Greater Dublin rail system to over 100 million passengers journeys annually.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the application was "an important stepping stone" towards and improved system of public transport in Ireland.

"The submission of the Railway Order for the Dart Underground brings closer the vision of a mass transit system outlined in Transport 21, and in tandem with Metro North will transform public transportation in the Greater Dublin Area”, Mr Dempsey said.

A Railway Order is the equivalent of a planning permission for new rail schemes and, if granted, will authorise CIÉ to begin the project.

The Government will apply to the European Investment Bank - which recently pledged €500 million towards the Metro North project – for some of the financing.

Potential private backers have until July 20th to express an interest. Investors would take a share in profits under the plans.

“There has already been significant interest,” Mr Dempsey’s spokesman said.

Additional reporting: PA

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