DART+ Coastal North project gains approval

A dart train on a northbound track.

The future of public transportation for Dublin commuters is set to take a significant leap forward with the approval of the DART+ Coastal North project.

On May 21, 2024, the Cabinet agreed to advance the DART+ Coastal North project into the planning system. This extension of the DART network will stretch the existing electrified rail service by 37 kilometers, from Malahide to Drogheda. The project promises to bring high-frequency, fully electrified DART trains to a host of growing communities along the route, including Clongriffin, Donabate, Balbriggan, and Skerries.

The DART+ Coastal North project, managed by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) and funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA), aims to significantly enhance rail services. The submission of a Railway Order (planning application) to An Bord Pleanála is expected by July 2024.

While the full-scale electrification is underway, passengers can look forward to an immediate boost in service. By 2026, 65 new battery-electric DART carriages will replace existing diesel services between Dublin and Drogheda. This interim measure will increase passenger capacity during peak hours by 83%, from approximately 4,800 to 8,800 passengers.

The DART+ Programme is a comprehensive plan to expand Dublin's rail network from 53km to 150km, tripling its reach and doubling passenger capacity to and from the city center. This expansion includes extending the DART services not only to the north but also to the west and southwest, encompassing areas like Maynooth, M3 Parkway, and Hazelhatch & Celbridge.

The Coastal North project entails several significant infrastructural developments:

  • Extension of overhead electric wires from Malahide to Drogheda MacBride station.

  • Reconfiguration of tracks and associated infrastructure at key stations.

  • Construction of a new platform at Drogheda MacBride Station.

  • Upgrades to signaling, telecoms, and power supplies.

  • Reconstruction of bridges and civil works to support electrification.

  • Modifications to depots to accommodate new trains.

You can learn more about the DART+ project on the DART+ Programme website here.

Matt Walsh