A plan to extend the DART network to Maynooth in County Kildare and Meath has been approved by An Bord Pleanála, two years after Irish Rail sought its permission.
The DART+ West project covers approximately 40 km, extending from Connolly Station and the proposed Spencer Dock station in north Dublin to Maynooth in Co Kildare and on to the M3 Parkway near Dunboyne in Co Meath.
Irish Rail, the national railway operator, stated that the project will provide a more sustainable transport option for several communities living in areas such as Maynooth, Leixlip, and Castleknock.
The project will ramp up train capacity from the current 6 trains per hour per direction up to 12 trains per hour per direction, subject to demand.
It will serve “all existing stations along the railway corridor between Maynooth Station and M3 Parkway Station to Connolly Station and to the proposed Spencer Dock Station using electrical power, which has a lower carbon footprint than the current diesel trains”.
The Railway Order for the project was submitted in July 2022, and with the approval now secured, construction is expected to commence in 2024, with the new service anticipated to begin operating by 2029.
The application from the Irish Rail included detailed plans for a new station at Spencer Dock, to interchange with the Luas Red Line, a second station entrance on Preston Street, and rail capacity enhancements at Connolly Station.
The new service is expected to be rolled out by 2029.
