Irish Rail has unveiled what it says will be the most important piece of infrastructure in the State to allow people shift from private to public transport.
The new €1.3 billion underground interconnector for Dublin's Dart light rail network, set for completion by 2015, will involve a 5.3-kilometre tunnel under the River Liffey between Heuston Station and the Docklands.
Extensions of the Dart line are also planned for Maynooth, Co Kildare, and Dunboyne, Co Meath.
The plan is part of the Government's ambitious Transport 21programme but is now at the design stage and will be put out for public consultation.
It is intended that the underground high-capacity rail link will run from Docklands to Pearse Street to St Stephen's Green to Heuston.
"Together with the electrification of sections of the Maynooth, Drogheda and Kildare routes, it would result in a fully integrated rail network, linking with Luas and Metro at key points, allowing high quality, high frequency, easy interchange commuting across Leinster," Iarnród Éireann's website states.
It claims the project will complete the process of quadrupling Dart and commuter passenger numbers from 25 million per annum to 100 million per annum.
"The new line will dramatically increase frequency and capacity for commuters on Dart, Northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines - development plans also include the extension of the Dart network to Maynooth, Hazelhatch and the Northern line," Iarnród Éireann said today.
"It will be the single most important piece of infrastructure in the State to ensure a modal shift from private to public transport, and free future generations from the gridlock which cripples the Greater Dublin area today.
"It is a central part of the Government's Transport 21ten-year transport investment plan. It also links all rail modes - Dart, Commuter, Intercity, Luas and Metro - to form an integrated cohesive network," Iarnród Éireann said.
According to the company, the Docklands to Heuston Interconnector delivers:
- A second high-capacity Dart line through the heart of the city centre - a 5.2-kilometre underground line.
- Dramatically increased frequency and capacity for services on the Northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines
- A fully integrated rail network for the Greater Dublin area, linking all modes - Dart, Commuter, Intercity, Luas and Metro - and ensuring that suburb to suburb as well as suburb to city centre journeys can be made by a frequent, high capacity public transport network
- Two high capacity Dart lines proposed are Balbriggan/Howth to Hazelhatch and Maynooth/Pace to Bray/Greystones, with Dart extensions to some routes likely to be delivered in advance of the Interconnector.
- A quadrupling of the number of passenger journeys by Dart and Commuter rail annually - up from 25 million today to 100 million
- A critical piece of urban, regional and national infrastructure
The development is in design phase, Iarnród Éireann said one of the key issues to be addressed is the location of Docklands underground station.
"Iarnród Éireann are examining whether to locate the station directly beneath the River Liffey at Docklands, with station entrances from both the north and south quays, or whether to locate it immediately adjacent to the existing Docklands station," the company said today.
"A series of options are also being examined for the station at Christchurch, which will bring rail services to a brand new area of the city. Christchurch's Dart Station is planned for the High Street area, with three alternatives on view for the public."
According to the company, the new line will "dramatically change" Iarnród Éireann's Dart and commuter network.
Northern line Dart services from Balbriggan and Howth will branch off the existing Dart line after Clontarf Road, going underground at Docklands Station where the line will connect with the Red Luas.
It would continue to Pearse, connecting with what will be the Maynooth/Pace to Bray/Greystones Dart line.
Then at St Stephen's Green it connects with the Green Luas and the Metro to the airport before continuing to Christchurch and Heuston, linking with Red Luas, and Iarnród Éireann's Intercity and Commuter services before continuing above ground to Hazelhatch.
Construction is set to begin in 2010 for completion in 2015.
Iarnród Éireann will put the plans on public display next week to allow the public to view station options and the associated route alignments. Open days will be held at Dublin City Council's Civic Offices at Wood Quay on July 3rd and 4th (11am to 7pm both days).