Weekend Dart services on Dublin's southside resume next Saturday after an €80 million upgrade of the line between Pearse Station and Greystones. However, a new phase of the work will cause disruption for northside passengers.
It was the first phase of a €176 million investment in the Dart system, and the largest since it was first introduced 20 years ago. Among the improvements since the work began last October are the introduction of eight-carriage trains and the extension of railway platforms to accommodate them.
The refurbishment of Dublin's northside line from Pearse to Howth/Malahide will also begin on Saturday. Feeder buses will be laid on to replace the rail services at weekends, for passengers using the northside Dart and for passengers on the northern commuter line.
Iarnrod Éireann says it intends to extend all platforms for the new longer trains; renew overhead power lines; improve access for disabled passengers and erect a number of new buildings at Howth Junction and Bayside.
Connolly Station will also have its platforms extended and tracks upgraded. Capacity for services to operate from the Maynooth line will also be increased.
Iarnrod Éireann says the refurbishments will also increase capacity by 30 per cent at peak times on both Dart and commuter rail services.
It is expected the work will take ten months to complete, including a break for the three weekends before Christmas to facilitate shopping missions.
When the northside works have been completed, remaining work will include the installation of new sidings at Fairview Depot to cater for the expanded fleet, and remaining access facilities at a number of southside stations.
The first 16 of a 40 carriage order of eight-carriage trains have been delivered, and are now undergoing testing. The new carriages represent a doubling of the
Dart fleet in just four years. Iarnród Éireann plans to begin refurbishing the original DART fleet, which is now two decades old.
The work at Dun Laoighaire station was inspected by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, this morning.
