Plans for new Dart line to Celbridge and Hazelhatch on track

Plans for the DART+ South West service running from Dublin city centre to Celbridge and Hazelhatch station in county Kildare have been approved by the Irish Cabinet.

Part of the wider DART+ expansion programme, the South West line will provide a fast, high-frequency and electrified rail service to stations along the route at Islandbridge, Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, Adamstown, and Celbridge and Hazelhatch.

It is anticipated that the new DART line will have 11 trains each way per hour at peak times. This will increase the overall capacity on the line from 5,000 passengers per hour at present to 20,000 upon completion.

The project will also involve the construction of a new station, Heuston West, at Islandbridge, as well as the electrification of the Phoenix Park tunnel. DART trains on the new line will be able to operate between Celbridge and Hazelhatch station, the new station Heuston West station and also Dublin Connolly station.

The Department of Transport said that subject to funding and planning permission, construction on the DART+ South West project could commence in 2025, with the project expected to be completed by the end of the decade.

Speaking of the government’s decision to approve the DART+ South West project, Transport Minister Eamonn Ryan said:

“The government’s approval of DART+ South West today highlights our commitment to invest in high-quality public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system. This rail project will transform the lives of people living in communities along the route, giving them a fast, reliable and frequent train service into Dublin. It also means that we can move ahead with good, transport led planning, facilitating vital affordable new housing along the route. I look forward to the DART+ Programme rolling-out further in the coming years. We’ll start this with the delivery of the first batch of 90 new DART carriages arriving next year. This will see new DART services between Drogheda and Dublin city from early 2025, before then expanding to other areas including Hazelhatch and Celbridge."