Transport 21

Transport 21 is an Irish infrastructure plan, announced on 1 November 2005 in Dublin Castle by the then Irish Minister for Transport Martin Cullen. [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1101/transport.html RTÉ News: National transport plan to cost €34bn ] ] It aims to greatly expand Ireland's transport network. A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan at the time.

The plan includes continuing investment in Ireland's road network, along with investment in public transport in the form of buses and rail.

A significant portion of this investment will focus on the creation of an integrated rail network in Dublin. Projects include a tunnel under Dublin city centre connecting Heuston Station with Pearse Station and Docklands station at Spencer Dock. This will facilitate the expansion of the DART system from one line to two. Also included are several new Luas lines, a metro system, and tighter integration between all rail systems, particularly at the planned St. Stephen's Green interchange. This will create a single integrated rail network in Dublin that serves the north, south, east and west of the city.

Other rail investment includes the planned Western Railway Corridor, redevelopment of a rail link from Navan to Dublin and upgrading and extending suburban rail in Cork.

Also included in the plan is the significant expansion of the Dublin Bus passenger-carrying capacity, completion of the motorway system linking all the major urban centres on the island, and better integration of all transport systems. [A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan in 2005.]

Luas - Dublin

t. Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line (Line BX)

* [http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/Line%20BX.jpgMap]

The original plan to join Dublin's two separate tram lines will now proceed. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has selected a route through the city centre after public consultation. Consultation on the design of the route is ongoing. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_bx Luas - Public Transport Integrated Ticketing System, RPA Railway Procurement Agency Ireland LUAS ] ]

Connolly to Point Depot (Line C1)

* [http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/Line%20C1.jpgMap]

The route for the Red Line extension (Line C1) from Connolly to the Point Depot has been chosen by the RPA and the [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/railway_orders/line_c1 Railway Order] was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. Construction works are underway as of June 2007, with initial work on a new bridge at the Harbourmaster Place end of Mayor Street. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_c1 Luas - Public Transport Integrated Ticketing System, RPA Railway Procurement Agency Ireland LUAS ] ] The line will open at the end of 2009. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_c1] ]

andyford to Brides Glen (Line B1)

* [http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/Line%20B1.jpgMap]

The route for the Green Line extension (Line B1) from Sandyford to Brides Glen has been chosen by the RPA and the [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/railway_orders/line_b1 Railway Order] was signed by the Minister of Transport in August 2006. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_b1 Luas - Public Transport Integrated Ticketing System, RPA Railway Procurement Agency Ireland LUAS ] ] Construction is ongoing and the line will open in mid 2010. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_b1] ]

Brides Glen to Bray (Line B2)

[http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/Line%20B2.jpgMap]

The route for this line has been selected (Route 2). Public consultation is ongoing. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/luas/about_luas/line_b2 Luas - Public Transport Integrated Ticketing System, RPA Railway Procurement Agency Ireland LUAS ] ]

Belgard to Saggart (Line A1)

[http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/August%202006%20-%20Luas%20Line%20A1.pdf Map]

The RPA has announced the Red Line extension (line A1) from Belgard to the Saggart and had sought public comments on the route. This extension is to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP). The line received planning permission in June 2008 and construction is anticipated to begin soon, with operation starting in early 2011. [ [http://www.transport21.ie/Projects/Metro_-_Luas/Luas_Line_A1_-_City_West_Extension.html] ]

Line BX to Liffey Junction (Line D)

Luas Line D is currently at the Preliminary Planning Stage. Public Consultation initiatives will commence as plans for Luas Line BX progress. It is believed that route will use the former Broadstone rail alignment.

City Centre to Lucan (Line F)

Luas Line F is currently at the Preliminary Planning Stage. As possible route options are identified Public Consultation initiatives will start focusing initially on Route Selection. It is believed that it will join the proposed Green line (Line BX) extension at College Green and will travel down Dame Street, passing by Christchurch and Intersecting the Metro West at Liffey Valley.

Light Rail Metro - Dublin

A metro for Dublin had been discussed for many years. It has now been decided that a light metro system similar to the Porto Metro in Portugal will be built. [ [http://www.rpa.ie/?id=327] ]

tephen's Green to Lissenhall (Metro North)

[http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/Metro%20North%20Route%200508.pdf Map]

The RPA has announced the Metro North from Stephens Green to Lissenhall north of Swords via Dublin Airport and has sought public comments on the route. In October 2006, RPA published an initial route for Metro North, with a revised route appearing in April 2008. This route is to be a Public Private Partnership initiative (PPP) and in September 2008 the RPA applied to An Bord Pleanala for a Railway Order. This is expected to be granted by mid 2009, with construction hopefully occurring later.

Tallaght to Santry Demesne (Metro West)

[http://www.rpa.ie/upload/documents/January%202007%20-%20Dublin%20Metro%20West.pdf Map]

The RPA has announced the Metro West from Tallaght to Santry Demesne and has sought public comments on two route options. This route is also to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP).

DART - Greater Dublin Area

[http://www.irishrail.ie/projects/pdf/14%20Greater%20Dublin%20Transport%20Network.pdf Map]

Under the Transport 21 Plan, the DART network will go through a fundamental change from the coastally-focused north/south line which currently exists, to a two-line system which crosses the city. One of these lines (DART Line 1) would run from Maynooth/Pace-M3 to Greystones via Connolly station, while the other (DART Line 2) would run from Balbriggan to Hazelhatch, south of Celbridge, via the Interconnector. Both lines will intersect at Pearse Street Station.

Maynooth to Greystones (Line 1)

The existing DART line from Greystones to Connolly will remain unchanged. However the current service from Connolly to Clontarf Rd and beyond will no longer continue. Instead, trains after Connolly station will divert to Druncondra Station on the Sligo/Maynooth line, which will be electrified and continue onward to Maynooth.

Clonsilla to Pace-M3

As well as the electrification of the Connolly to Maynooth line, a newly re-opened section of the Navan rail line from Clonsilla to Pace-M3 (see Commuter - Greater Dublin Area below) will be electrified.

Ballbriggan to Hazlehatch (Line 2)

The existing DART line from Malahide/Howth to Clontarf Rd will remain unchanged. However the current service from Clontarf Rd to Connolly and beyond will no longer continue. Instead, trains after Clontarf Rd station will divert through East Wall to a new underground extension called the Interconnector, heading into a new Docklands station in Spencer Dock. The extension continues to Pearse Station, where you can interchange with Line 1 and onward to Heuston Station. The extension will go overground at Inchicore where it will join the existing Kildare line, which will be electrified as far as Hazlehatch Station. At the other end, the existing Northern Commuter line between Malahide and Balbriggan will be electrified.

Kildare Route Project

* [http://www.transport21.ie/Maps/upload/Image/kildare-route-big.gifMap] When the DART is extended from Heuston Station to Hazlehatch, it will quickly find itself in trouble, as the busy Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway Intercity service as well as the Kildare and other Commuter services use the same track. This would cause major interference to the DART frequency and service. So Iarnrod Eireann decided to quadruple the track (currently 2 track) from where the Interconnector goes overground at Inchicore to just past Hazlehatch station. This will physically separate the DART service from the busy Intercity and Commuter service and guarantee a regular frequency, not only for the DART but the Intercity and Commuter services. The Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. Construction is well underway, with several new train stations already open. The project is anticipated to be complete in early 2010. [ [http://www.adamstown.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=2] ] [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0805/rail.html] ]

Interconnector

"See full article: Interconnector"

The Interconnector is a tunnel, currently costed at €1.3bn, which connects the Northern DART line to the Kildare line. It will have underground stations at Spencer Dock, Pearse Station, Stephens Green, High St (Digital Hub) and Heuston Station and it will form a part of the new DART Line 2 (see above).

The Interconnector is one of the most important public transport projects as it will fundamentally change not only the DART but other public transport systems, as well as road traffic in the Greater Dublin Area.

Commuter - Greater Dublin Area

Docklands Station

Under Transport 21, a new Docklands railway station is to be built in the Spencer Dock area of Dublin city centre. Its purpose is to increase the capacity and frequency of rail services that operate along the Sligo rail line, which is currently restricted by the heavily congested Connolly Station.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a temporary location for the new station were held on March 9 2006 and the station opened in March 2007.

By by-passing Connolly and using the new Docklands station, it is now possible to add extra services on the Maynooth and Longford Commuter services and a brand new service on the re-opening of the Clonsilla to Pace-M3 Line. (see Commuter - Greater Dublin Area below)

Pace-M3 to Navan

The former Clonsilla to Navan railway line was closed in 1963, but the trackbed was preserved. Under the Transport 21 plan, a section of the Navan rail line will extend from the Pace-M3 station out to Navan (42km). It will use the newly open Docklands Station in Dublin city center and it is expected to open in 2015.Fact|date=April 2007

Commuter - Other

Mallow to Midleton - Cork

[http://www.transport21.ie/Maps/upload/Image/CorkRailBG.jpgMap]

This project, to reopen part of the Cork–Youghal railway line as far as Midleton, started construction in November 2007. By end 2008, new stations will be built on the Northern Line to Mallow from Cork's Kent station and on the Eastern Line to Cobh and Midleton, as well as the new 10 km section of rail line from Glounethaune to Midleton. A total of 7 new or reopened stations will be constructed, in addition to the existing 7. The Cork Suburban Rail got increased funding under Transport 21 and in the coming years most parts of Metropolitan Cork will be connected by rail.

The project is scheduled for completion by early 2009.

Western Railway Corridor - Phase 1

[http://host2.equinox.ie/transport21/procontent/PROJECTS/upload/Image/western-rail-corridor-big.jpgMap]

Under Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) from Ennis to Claremorris will be re-open in 3 sections.

Ennis to Athenry

This section is expected to re-open in 2009 and a new Galway to Athenry Commuter services serving Oranmore will be created. An Intercity service will also be provided between the cities of Limerick and Galway. On the 26 September 2006, the Minister for Transport announced that the Government had approved funding for Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the development of the this section. Work began in 2008 and is on schedule.

Athenry to Tuam

This section is expected to re-open in 2011. The Government has approved funding for the development of the Athenry to Tuam section, subject to completion by Iarnród Éireann of a fuller appraisal of this section.

Tuam to Claremorris

This section is expected to re-open in 2014. With this opening, the Westport - Dublin, Galway - Dublin and Limerick - Dublin lines will be connected together and will help to facilitate the provision of inter-regional services within the BMW Region.

References

ee also

*Dublin Metro
*Dublin Area Rapid Transit
*Luas
*Dublin Bus
*Iarnród Éireann
*List of rapid transit systems
* History of rail transport in Ireland
* Rail transport in Ireland
* Iarnród Éireann
* National Development Plan

External links

* [http://www.transport21.ie/ Transport 21 Official Site]
* [http://www.debatpublic-lgvpaca.org/docs/pdf/etudes/section_lignew/LGV_PACA-RapportEtudesTechniquesComplementaires-janv05pp21-25.pdf Val de Durance Marseille North Cost Estimations per kilo-metre] normal track works 5&10M€ per kilometre; Viaducts 50M€ per kilometre; Tunnels 30-70M€ per kilometre.
* [http://www.meathontrack.com Meath on Track - Navan Rail Line campaign]
* [http://www.platform11.org/transport21 Platform 11 Information on Transport 21]
* [http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=7048&lang=ENG&loc=1850 Department of Transport Press Release]
* [http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=172 Iarnród Éireann Press Release]
* [http://www.belturbet-station.com/h/gnrhistory.html Rail infrastructure History]
* [http://www.irrs.ie/Common%20Files/GNRI.htm irrs.ie pages]
* [http://www.rpsi-online.org/locomotives/ RPSI online]
* [http://www.midlandgateway.com Midlands Gateway] ATM Midlands Gateway

Launch Documents

* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-0.pdf Transport 21 Summary]
* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-1.pdf Speech by An Tánaiste, Mary Harney]
* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-2.pdf Speech by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen]
* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-3.pdf Transport 21 Timetable]
* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-4.pdf Department of Transport Rest of Ireland Map]
* [http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/7048-5.pdf Department of Transport Greater Dublin Plan Map]