MetroLink (Dublin)

MetroLink is a planned metro line for the city of Dublin. It was first proposed in the then Irish Government's 2005 Transport 21 transport plan.

MetroLink
LocationDublin, Ireland
ProposerTransport Infrastructure Ireland
Project websitewww.metrolink.ie
StatusCurrently in design phase
TypeMetro
Completion date2027 (presuming commencement in 2021)[1]

The sole line is proposed to run from Estuary on Dublin's northside to south of Ranelagh via Dublin Airport and St. Stephen's Green and Charlemont. The proposed route consists of mainly uncovered sub-surface track in the Swords area, a tunnel under Dublin Airport, further uncovered sub-surface track until the M50, with a deep bore tunnel running from Northwood to Charlemont. As of March 2018, the line was planned to begin operation in 2027.[2]

History

Initial proposals
Metro North
 Belinstown
 Lissenhall
 Estuary
 Swords
 Fosterstown
Airport
Dardistown
Northwood
 Ballymun
 Dublin City University
 Griffith Avenue
 Drumcondra
Mater
 Parnell Square
 O'Connell Bridge
St Stephen's Green
[3]

The original idea for the two Metro lines in Dublin can be attributed to the November 2001 "Platform for Change" report by the Dublin Transportation Office (now part of the National Transport Authority).[4] The purpose of the report was to come up with an integrated transportation strategy for the greater Dublin region. In its report, the DTO outlined plans for three Metro lines. The first was a North-South line which would run from Swords to Shanganagh via Dublin Airport, Finglas, Broadstone, the city centre, Ranelagh, Sandyford and Cherrywood. The second would link Tallaght West to Tallaght and then continue through the south-western suburbs of Dublin to the city centre. The third line would run in an orbital pattern, with a spur off the Swords-Shanganagh line at Finglas and then continue via Blanchardstown and Clondalkin to Tallaght, where it would connect with the other line.

Dublin Airport carried over 21 million passengers in 2006. This figure was projected to grow rapidly (as it did to 27.9 million by 2016).[5] As a result, Transport Infrastructure Ireland identified a medium-capacity public-transport link to Dublin Airport as one of the most important gaps in the Dublin rail network. Two options were seen as a solution to the problem:

  • A spur off the existing DART line to Dublin Airport, as proposed by Iarnród Éireann.
  • A metro system, running from Finglas through Dublin Airport and on to the city centre, in line with the National Transport Authority's suggestions.

The metro option emerged as the preferred option, as it provided both an airport link and a commuter link. It was described by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as "an important commuter link for the communities and institutions of North Dublin City and County".[6] Metro North (from Swords to St. Stephen's Green) and Metro West were adopted as government policy with the launch of the Transport 21 programme in 2005.

Three potential routes for the then called Metro North were published by the Railway Procurement Agency in February 2006. The first route option went through Finglas and made use of the former Broadstone railway alignment. The second route option went through Ballymun and was eventually adopted as the final route. The third route option went through Whitehall. After public consultation, the RPA announced in October 2006[7] that they had selected a routing known as the 'East/Central Combined Route'. that ran through Ballymun. A slightly updated route, with changes in proposed station names, some modifications to station locations, and details of proposed overground and underground routes through Swords was released by the RPA in March 2008.[8]

On 22 March 2007, Transport Infrastructure Ireland began the procurement process for Metro North. In October 2007 it announced that it had a shortlist of four consortia interested in building Metro North. Draft Environmental Impact Statements were published in early 2008.

On 17 September 2008, the RPA applied for a railway order to An Bord Pleanála.[9] Oral hearings were heard during 2009 and 2010.[10]

On 5 October 2011, Metro North was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.[11]

It was speculated by the media that the Metro North Project would be indefinitely deferred on 12 August 2011 following a review by Leo Varadkar, then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. This was confirmed on 10 November 2011.[12]

On 29 September 2015, it was announced that Metro North was being relaunched, with a revised opening date of 2027. This was corroborated by the new 'Metrolink' plans in 2018.[13]

Rebranding to 'MetroLink' and emerging preferred route

On 22 March 2018, the National Transport Authority announced revised plans for the former Metro North railway line, now called 'MetroLink'. Costing an estimated €3 billion, the route extended further south from the original Estuary-St. Stephen's Green route down to Sandyford, subsuming the Luas Green Line tracks from Charlemont down to its final destination in Sandyford. It was planned to begin operations in 2027, and it combines the existing 'Metro North' and 'Metro South' lines together. If completed according to these plans, Luas services on the Green Line would cease between Sandyford and Charlemont, and be replaced by Metro services.[14] This was met with opposition regarding the potential closure of the Green Line for an undetermined amount of time and issues regarding pedestrian and cyclist permeability along the line. As a result, revised plans were published in March 2019, where the Metrolink line would be delivered in two phases, meaning the Green Line would not be upgraded during the first phase.[15] The Green Line Upgrade would happen as a second phase at a later date after Metrolink from Swords to Charlemont was operational. By developing in two phases the closure of the Green Line could be reduced and more time given to upgrading the existing pedestrian crossings to be fully grade separated through the use of underpasses.[16]

A railway order is due to be sought for 'Metrolink' in the third quarter of 2019. A public consultation for the project closed on May 21, 2018.[17][18]

As of 2018, the revised MetroLink project was proposed to open in 2027.[2] In December 2019, test drilling for boreholes began for the line.[19] Engineering consultant firm SNC-Lavalin was appointed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in March 2020 as operations advisor for the project.[20] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, work was halted, however in November 2020 ground investigation works were carried out in Swords, with the Railway Order expected to be submitted in June 2021.[21]

Operations

If opened as planned, MetroLink is due to operate a single line between Charlemont and Swords. All services are proposed to operate from Charlemont to the airport, with only some trains operating the full length of the line from Charlemont to Estuary. [20]

While the metro is designed for 80km/h operation, the commercial operating speed is expected to be 40km/h.[20] A single-bore tunnel has been decided upon for the underground section, in order to save on the cost of a twin-bore tunnel.[20]

Cost

According to the National Transport Authority in 2018, the cost of the project was estimated to be €3 billion.[2]

Further potential plans

Metro South

In 2006 Eamon Ryan, then transport spokesperson for the Green Party, called for the underground section of Metro North to be extended south to Beechwood, where it would then surface and provide a direct link to the Luas Green Line.[22] This option would allow passengers to travel from the south of the city to the north, without having to change mode of transport. It is also consistent with the Dublin Transportation Office's suggestions in the Platform for Change document, which envisaged that a Metro line would run across the city following the upgrade of the Green Line to Metro by 2020.

When the Luas Green Line was constructed, it was designed to allow metro trains to operate on the line in the future. The interaxis between the tracks was built wide enough to allow wider trains to operate on the line, and the line's electrical systems were designed to handle longer metro trains in the future.

In the National Transport Authority's Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, it was proposed that the Metro North tunnel should be extended southwards to meet the Luas Green line in the Ranelagh area.

The Luas Green line would be converted to a metro line, with Luas services on the line ending and being replaced by metro services. Platforms at all stations would need to be lengthened and raised and a number of road crossings on the line closed in order for this to happen.

In March 2019, the revised plans were released with the intention to upgrade the Green Line after the northern section is operational.[23] It remains part of the transport strategy to upgrade the Green Line to be capable of running metro services, extending the metro to Sandyford and eventually to Bride's Glen.[24]

Metro South West

In 2020, it was reported that the NTA was assessing additional potential metro provision; with a southwest line serving Terenure, Rathfarnham and Knocklyon, or a southeastern line serving University College Dublin.[25]

Former plans

Metro West
Metro West
 Dardistown
 Harristown
 Silloge
 Meakstown
 Kildonan
 Cappoge
 Abbotstown
 NAC
 Blanchardstown
 Millennium Park
 Porterstown
 Liffey Valley
 Rowlagh
 Fonthill
 Clondalkin
 St Brigids
 Newlands
 Belgard
 Colbert's Fort
 Tallaght East

Metro West (Irish: Meitreo Thiar) was proposed to run from an intersection with Metro North, just south of the airport at Santry, and from there pass through Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, and Clondalkin before joining the Luas Red Line to continue towards Tallaght. Metro West was planned to be entirely above ground, at road level, with major junctions overpassed. Metro West was planned to be 25.5 kilometres long (15.8 mi). Planning on the Metro West Project was suspended in September 2011 following a review by Leo Varadkar, then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, as money to construct the new railway would not be available in the foreseeable future.[26] The Metro West option had been set aside until economic conditions improved.

Two potential routes for Metro West were published by the Railway Procurement Agency in January 2007, with a number of sub-options also included. Following discussions and a public consultation process, the preferred route was announced in July 2007. This route started at Tallaght, then continued on through Belgard, Clondalkin, Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown. Stops were also planned for the National Aquatic Centre and Abbotstown, before continuing in the direction of Sillogue and Harristown. Following Harristown it would link with the Metro North, after Northwood and before Dardistown station. The line was expected to be 25 km long.[27]

When Metro West was in the early planning stages, the design drawings produced by the RPA indicated that the line would not be segregated from road traffic, unlike the Metro North proposal. Metro West plans, published in 2007, proposed lines which would run overground, with some tunnels and bridges to avoid major road junctions.[28] The proposed route included a number of interchanges with other modes of public transport. As well as the link with the Metro North, the line would also link with the Luas at Tallaght and Belgard, rail services at Fonthill and Porterstown and Dublin Bus services at a number of other stops. As of 2007, park and ride facilities had been proposed at a number of stops.[29]

Route selection

Metro West was proposed to serve the northern parts of Finglas via stops at the N2 and Meakstown. When developing options for Metro West, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) considered routes south of the M50, serving Finglas more directly. Ultimately, these routes were not deemed feasible, and it was proposed in the NTA strategy that Finglas be served by a radial light rail line. The first phase of this was outlined in Transport 21 as running to Liffey Junction.[30]

On 11 November 2008, the RPA chose their preferred route for Metro West, including indicative stops, depot and Park and Ride locations. The preferred route for Metro West ran from Tallaght to Metro North at Dardistown, via Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown. The preferred route was approximately 25.5 km long. The planned route would interchange with (from south to north) the Luas Red Line, Kildare Railway Line, Luas Line F (to Lucan), Maynooth Railway Line and Metro North Line, as well as local bus services.[31]

Planning and funding

An application for a Railway Order to construct Metro West was lodged to An Bord Pleanala on October 22, 2010. However, this application was withdrawn on September 26, 2011, due to the withdrawal of Government funding for the project due to the global financial crisis.

In late 2011, the Irish Government withdrew funding for the Metro West project due to budgetary constraints arising from the global financial crisis and recession. By 2016, Metro West had been excluded from the National Transport Authority's Transport Strategy For The Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035. The Metro West project is not now due to be considered for government funding until after 2035.[32]

See also

References
  1. "MetroLink Project Schedule" (PDF). tii.ie. MetroLink. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  2. "Revealed: Preferred route for €3bn MetroLink from city centre to Dublin Airport unveiled". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  3. "Map - Metro North - St. Stephen's Green - Estuary" (PDF). rpa.ie. Rail Procurement Agency. February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2011.
  4. "The Dublin Transport Office's Platform for Change Report" (PDF). dto.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2007.
  5. "RTÉ News: Residents to oppose Dublin runway plans". rte.ie. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 12 October 2004. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  6. "Metro North: Frequently Asked Questions". rpa.ie. Rail Procurement Agency. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008.
  7. "RTÉ News: Cullen announces details of Metro route". rte.ie. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  8. "Metro North Route, March 2008" (PDF). rpa.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2008.
  9. "Home - Transport Infrastructure Ireland -". Archived from the original on 15 June 2011.
  10. "An Bord Pleanála considers Dublin Metro". RTÉ News. 2 March 2009.
  11. "Metro North gets final Bord Pleanála go-ahead". rte.ie. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  12. "Metro North and Dart Underground deferred". The Irish Times.
  13. "Dublin's new Metro North: What is the plan?". newstalk.com. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  14. "The 'Metro North' is now the MetroLink - here's what it'll look like". TheJournal.ie. Metrolink announcement. 22 March 2018.
  15. Kilraine, John (26 March 2019). "Luas Green line to remain open under new Metrolink plan". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019.
  16. "Constructability Report - Green Line Closure" (PDF). metrolink.ie. 16 April 2019.
  17. "Details of Metrolink revealed". independent.ie. 22 March 2018.
  18. "Metrolink public consultation". metrolink.ie. 22 March 2018.
  19. "Test drilling of boreholes for MetroLink finally gets underway across the capital". independent.ie. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  20. "Irish capital updates metro plan". International Railway Journal. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  21. "Ground investigation works for Metrolink line begin in Swords". Independent.ie. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  22. "Greens want Metro extended to Beechwood". The Irish Times. 19 October 2006.
  23. Kilraine, John (26 March 2019). "Luas Green line to remain open under new Metrolink plan". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. "Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035" (PDF). nationaltransport.ie. 2016.
  25. "Rail line to Navan and Metro to south Dublin to be assessed as NTA asks for public views on transport strategy". www.thejournal.ie. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  26. "Airport Metro link plan suspended". Irish Independent. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  27. "Dempsey unveils Metro West route". The Irish Times. 5 July 2007.
  28. RTÉ News: Clondalkin wins out on Metro West route. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. (5 July 2007). Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  29. "Seven years down the line . . . Metro West stops unveiled". Irish Independent. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  30. "Line BXD - City/Broombridge - Outline Business Case - June 2009" (PDF). nationaltransport.ie. 2009.
  31. "RPA – ''METRO ORBITAL (Metro West) Design Update No. 1'' (PDF)" (PDF). rpa.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  32. Paul, Hosford (23 March 2018). "Dublin's Metrolink will only go north - south until at least 2035". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
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