Dublin - Metrolink (Swords to Charlemont only)

I believe the savings would be significant - building underground stations is extremely expensive and disruptive and you'd avoid at least 2 if not 3 extra underground stations which will be required if linking up somewhere south of Ranelagh. Instead, Charlemont, Ranelagh, Beechwood and Cowper would require fairly low-cost upgrades (lengthening and raising platforms) like all the other stops further south. It would also involve the least amount of disruption to existing Luas operations during construction as it would not involve TBMs emerging under or alongside operational tracks.

I agree - cut n' cover along Earlsfort terrace would be tricky - maybe too tricky. But all of the other link-up options look problematic to me in other ways and are sure to be more expensive given the extra underground stations required.

This is an extract of Map Set E from the current Dublin City Development Plan. Any building marked by a red astrix is a protected structure. You can't swing a cat around that part of the city without hitting a protected structure. It sure does create a lot of constraints.

It's not just about two Georgian buildings (although any planning application which involves demolishing buildings specifically stated to be protected under local and national plans is clearly on a hiding to nothing). The Alignment Options Study concluded this option wasn't a runner;

Told you all.

This country is actually going backwards in terms of rail infrastructure under the Greens. It's all about the bike and the walk. Back in the 80s when Irish governments served Ireland and not Globalist agendas we got the DART. Kinda makes you wonder what the real agenda of the Greens is after all...

Well the IT is saying it'll be after 2031 so probably closer to 2037 in reality.

How depressing.

From the rte version of the story (IT is paywalled for me):

"The strategy aims to reduce car share from 58% to 49% despite a population increase of 485,000 between 2016 and 2042."

How is that going to work?

Nearly a 50% increase in population and only a 10% decrease in car share usage. By my sums that means they expect 20% more cars on the road carrying commuters in 2042?

I hope they get absolutely thrashed at the next election and get 0 seats.

A total joke of a party that supposed to represent and prioritise "green" issues.

No surprise Ryan was desparate to get over to COP and hideout for a few days!

This is where the at least 2031 date is coming from. Depressing.

Why submit a planning application for a project that wont start construction for 10 years?

The working assumption seems to be that construction would start on the Metrolink project later this decade and be completed in the early part of the 2030s. Of course there will be at least one change of government in the meantime, so it's very much up in the air.

TBH when you look at the full draft, it doesnt give any new timelines for ML that werent already understood, and its given enough mention in the document that you would assume if anything is built it will be Bus Corridors and ML. Also reference is made to the Tara ST interchange upgrade and the Glasnevin station, which only make sense in the context of ML progressing. It's all depressingly vague but I would be no more or less optimistic about ML 2031 after looking at this.

The NTA are an absolute joke shop, the European Central back are literally throwing money at member states to build infrastructure. Now is the time now to move forward as quick as possible, in 10 years time the money won't be there