Jump to content

Transport 21

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Armada104 (talk | contribs) at 23:43, 29 July 2007 (this template is unnecessary, as the page contains a more specific version. 2 templates are not necessary). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Future public transportation

Transport 21 is an Irish infrastructure plan, announced on 1 November 2005 in Dublin Castle by the former Irish Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.[1] It aims to greatly expand Ireland's transport network. A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan at the time.

The plan includes continuing investment in Ireland's road network, along with investment in public transport in the form of buses and rail.

A significant portion of this investment centres the creation of an integrated rail network in Dublin. Projects include a tunnel under Dublin city centre connecting Heuston Station with Pearse Station and Docklands station at Spencer Dock. This will facilitate the expansion of the DART system from one line to two. Also included are several new Luas lines, a metro system, and tighter integration between all rail systems, particularly at the planned St. Stephen's Green interchange. This will create a single integrated rail network in Dublin that serves the north, south, east and west of the city.

Other rail investment includes the planned Western Railway Corridor, redevelopment of a rail link from Navan to Dublin and upgrading and extending suburban rail in Cork.

Also included in the plan is the significant expansion of the Dublin Bus passenger-carrying capacity, completion of the motorway system linking all the major urban centres on the island, and better integration of all transport systems.[2]


Luas - Dublin

Stephen's Green to Luas Red Line (Line BX)

The original plan to join Dublin's two separate tram systems will now proceed. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) had announced the Green Line extension (line BX) from Stephen's Green to the Luas Red line and has sought public comments on six options for the route. In January 2007, the RPA narrowed down the options to two routes, Option A and Option F.

Connolly to Point Depot (Line C1)

The route for the Red Line extension (Line C1) from Connolly to the Point Depot has already been chosen by the RPA and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006. Construction works are underway as of June 2007, with initial work on a new bridge at the Harbourmaster Place end of Mayor Street.

Sandyford to Brides Glen (Line B1)

The route for the Green Line extension (Line B1) from Sandyford to Brides Glen has already been chosen by the RPA and the Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in August 2006.


Brides Glen to Bray (Line B2)

Map

The RPA has announced the Green Line extension (line B2) from Brides Glen to the Bray Area and has sought public comments on four options for the route.

Belgard to Saggart (Line A1)

Map

The RPA has announced the Red Line extension (line A1) from Belgard to the Saggart and had sought public comments on the route. This extension is to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP) and RPA are now in the process of preparing a Railway Order Application.

Line BX to Liffey Junction (Line D)

Luas Line D is currently at the Preliminary Planning Stage. Public Consultation initiatives will commence as plans for Luas Line BX progress. It is believed that route will use the former Broadstone rail alignment.

City Centre to Lucan (Line F)

Luas Line F is currently at the Preliminary Planning Stage. As possible route options are identified Public Consultation initiatives will start focusing initially on Route Selection. It is believed that it will join the proposed Green line (Line BX) extension at College Green and will travel down Dame Street, passing by Christchurch and Intersecting the Metro West at Liffey Valley.

Light Rail Metro - Dublin

Although a metro for Dublin had been discussed for many years, plans are now in place to go ahead with a light rail metro system similar to the Porto Metro in Portugal.[citation needed]

Stephen's Green to Lissenhall (Metro North)

Map

The RPA had announced the Metro North from Stephens Green to Lissenhall via Dublin Airport and had sought public comments on the route. On Thursday 19th October 2006, RPA published the selected route for Metro North. This route is to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP) and RPA are now in the process of preparing a Railway Order Application.

Tallaght to Santry Demesne (Metro West)

Map

The RPA has announced the Metro West from Tallaght to Santry Demesne and has sought public comments on two route options. This route is to be a Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPP).

DART - Greater Dublin Area

Map

Under the Transport 21 Plan, the DART network will go through a fundamental change from the coastally-focused north/south line which currently exists, to a two-line system which crosses the city. One of these lines (DART Line 1) would run from Maynooth/Pace-M3 to Greystones via Connolly station, while the other (DART Line 2) would run from Balbriggan to Hazelhatch, south of Celbridge, via the Interconnector. Both lines will intersect at Pearse Street Station.

Maynooth to Greystones (Line 1)

The existing DART line from Greystones to Connolly will remain unchanged. However the current service from Connolly to Clontarf Rd and beyond will no longer continue. Instead, trains after Connolly station will divert to Druncondra Station on the Sligo/Maynooth line, which will be electrified and continue onward to Maynooth.

Clonsilla to Pace-M3

As well as the electrification of the Connolly to Maynooth line, a newly re-opened section of the Navan rail line from Clonsilla to Pace-M3 (see Commuter - Greater Dublin Area below) will be electrified.

Ballbriggan to Hazlehatch (Line 2)

Future DART service on the Kildare Line

The existing DART line from Malahide/Howth to Clontarf Rd will remain unchanged. However the current service from Clontarf Rd to Connolly and beyond will no longer continue. Instead, trains after Clontarf Rd station will divert through East Wall to a new underground extension called the Interconnector, heading into a new Docklands station in Spencer Dock. The extension continues to Pearse Station, where you can interchange with Line 1 and onward to Heuston Station. The extension will go overground at Inchicore where it will join the existing Kildare line, which will be electrified as far as Hazlehatch Station. At the other end, the existing Northern Commuter line between Malahide and Balbriggan will be electrified.

Kildare Route Project

When the DART is extended from Heuston Station to Hazlehatch, it will quickly find itself in trouble, as the busy Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway Intercity service as well as the Kildare and other Commuter services use the same track. This would cause major interference to the DART frequency and service. So Iarnrod Eireann decided to quadruple the track (currently 2 track) from where the Interconnector goes overground at Inchicore to just past Hazlehatch station. This will physically separate the DART service from the busy Intercity and Commuter service and guarantee a regular frequency, not only for the DART but the Intercity and Commuter services. The Railway Order was signed by the Minister of Transport in December 2006.


Interconnector

See full article: Interconnector

The Interconnector is a tunnel, currently costed at €1.3bn, which connects the Northern DART line to the Kildare line. It will have underground stations at Spencer Dock, Pearse Station, Stephens Green, High St (Digital Hub) and Heuston Station and it will form a part of the new DART Line 2 (see above).

The Interconnector is one of the most important public transport projects as it will fundamentally change not only the DART but other public transport systems, as well as road traffic in the Greater Dublin Area.


Commuter - Greater Dublin Area

Docklands Station

Map

Under Transport 21, a new railway station is to be built in the Spencer Dock area of Dublin city center. Its purpose is to increase the capacity and frequency of rail services that operate alone the Sligo rail line, which is currently restricted by the heavily congested Connolly Station. By by-passing Connolly and using the new Docklands station, it is now possible to add extra services on the Maynooth and Longford Commuter services and a brand new service on the re-opening of the Clonsilla to Pace-M3 Line. (see Commuter - Greater Dublin Area below)

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new station were held on March 9 2006, with the first shovelfuls of dirt turned by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.[3] Construction is now finished and the station was officially opened by An Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport on the 12 March 2007.


Pace-M3 to Navan

The former Clonsilla to Navan railway line was closed in 1963, but the trackbed was preserved. Under the Transport 21 plan, a section of the Navan rail line will extend from the Pace-M3 station out to Navan (42km). It will use the newly open Docklands Station in Dublin city center and it is expected to open in 2015.[citation needed]


Commuter - Other

Mallow to Midleton - Cork

Map

This project, to reopen part of the Cork–Youghal railway line, as far as Midleton is currently under construction. New stations are to be built by 2008 on the Northern Line to Mallow from Cork Kent and new stations on the Eastern Line to Cobh and Midleton will also open in 2008, to coincide with the opening of the new Midleton Line. The Cork Suburban Rail has got increased funding since Transport 21 was announced and in the coming years will connect most parts of Metropolitan Cork by rail.

Iarnród Éireann submitted an application for Railway Order on 15th May 2006. The Minister for Transport appointed an inspector, Mr Pat Butler SC on the 14th June 2006. The Public Inquiry into the Glounthane - Midleton section commenced on 31 October 2006 and concluded 3 November 2006. The Inspector's Report was submitted to the Minister on 17 January 2007. The Minister is now considering the relevant documentation.

Western Railway Corridor - Phase 1

Map

Under Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) from Ennis to Claremorris will be re-open in 3 sections.

Ennis to Athenry

This section is expected to re-open in 2008 and a new Galway to Athenry Commuter services serving Oranmore will start in 2009. This section will also provide a rail link between the cities of Limerick and Galway and a Intercity service is expected between the two. On the 26 September 2006, the Minister for Transport announced that the Government has approved funding for Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the development of the this section.

Athenry to Tuam

This section is expected to re-open in 2011. The Government has approved funding for the development of the Athenry to Tuam section, subject to completion by Iarnród Éireann of a fuller appraisal of this section.

Tuam to Claremorris

This section is expected to re-open in 2014. With this opening, the Westport - Dublin, Galway - Dublin and Limerick - Dublin lines will be connected together and will help to facilitate the provision of inter-regional services within the BMW Region.


References

  1. ^ http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1101/transport.html
  2. ^ A cost estimate of €34 billion was attached to the plan in 2005.
  3. ^ IOL (March 9 2006). The station is expected to open in March 2007. Cullen turns sod on new Dublin city railway station. Retrieved March 9 2006.

Launch Documents

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Transport_21&oldid=147947913"