DART Underground Business Case

Abstract

The DART Underground project will produce a step change in rail efficiency, accessibility and quality within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The project comprises a 7.5km tunnel linking the Northern line to the Heuston mainline with new underground stations at Docklands, Pearse, St Stephens Green, Christchurch and Heuston and a surface station at Inchicore. It includes a range of other improvements including electrification of surrounding routes and expansion of rolling stock and stabling facilities. The operational and accessibility improvements enabled by the tunnel are maximised not just by through running between the Northern and Kildare lines but also between the Maynooth and SE DART lines via the existing Loop Line Bridge. The tunnel enables a major improvement in accessibility across much of GDA by unlocking the potential of the existing rail infrastructure. Improved rail access and relief of capacity constraints to the centre of Dublin are crucial to the city‟s future growth and prosperity. DART Underground (DU) provides an efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to road transport and the capacity to enable growth within an otherwise constrained city centre. DART Underground is consistent with local, national and regional plans and strategies. Transport 21 describes it as a vital backbone of the future transport system, Platform for Change as the centre- piece of the suburban rail strategy.