DART+ (DART Expansion)

ConorF

Will both the Dart station and the Luas stop be called “Cabra”? They may need to consider using “East” and “West” or something. Not great having two disconnected stations/stops on the wider network with the same name.

riddlinrussell

The art of starting a new thread to discuss a stadium vaguely in the vicinity of a Dart+ line instead of using this one!

So correct me if I'm wrong but a quick summary so far:

• West, SW, and North D+ approved
• West (and SW?) Fairly advanced in procurement (any eta on advanced works?)
• South likely split further into "South of Bray" and "North of Bray" (no timelines on when either of these will hit ACP?)
• Depot in planning stage
• Fleet - 3 units in Ireland, unit 1 at least will be going back for modifications (fairly standard procedure), existing DART replacement order maddeningly delayed, most likely until the budget.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123801861#Comment_123801861

One of the units was involved in a serious operational incident, and there was a rumour that set might have to go back to Poland as a result.

Citizen Six

Quick shot of set 3 there, alongside set 1.

goingnowhere

Thats the shed in Inchicore alright.

Set 2 is at Fairview

The operational incident is under investigation involved an overspeed event during testing over a crossover. Unlikely to be the reason to be sent back to Poland. Its not uncommon for the first unit to require significant remedial works. The facilities at Inchicore are not setup for that, its only 2 tracks and only one has a pit

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123799523#Comment_123799523

It would be better off in Abbottstown.

Zebra3

JFC, it takes so long to build stuff in this country and the thread has been derailed by a stadium that nobody is planning to build. 🙄

OisinCooke

Trying to get things back on track, now that everything is approved, and W and SW are JR-free, (expecting that N stays JR-free) what is the timeline for the project? Am I right in saying new trains towards the middle of next year, and that West is to go to construction at a similar time? Would it make sense, let alone do we have the capacity construction and workforce wise, to do West and SW simultaneously? And when do we expect to have an update on the depot and the 3rd train order?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123810862#Comment_123810862

Any timeline is totally dependent upon the availability of government funding - we have no clear picture yet of how that will pan out under the National Development Plan.

spark23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123812099#Comment_123812099

Fingers crossed this, Metrolink and Luas Lucan get the nod in this years budget!

OisinCooke

Was on the train from Pearse to Adamstown recently and just have a few observations/questions/ramblings about the soon-to-be DART stations on the South Western line.

Generally, I presume there will be large amounts of work done to these stations before DART+ SW opens…? A lot of them are only geared towards the centre platform at the moment and as a result, what will become the city-bound DART platform in all 5 stations, bar maybe Hazelhatch have become overgrown and unsavoury looking.

Most of those are also lacking shelters, but interestingly Parkwest and Adamstown have them on the southbound fast line platform rather than the soon-to-be-DART northbound fast line platform…was there ever a plan for this to become the slow platform…?

In Clondalkin and Kishogue’s cases as well, these northbound platforms are fully lacking a coherent entrance or exit. They have nothing but a long, meandering and inefficient ramp to access the northbound platforms while lifts, and numerous staircases are available on the southbound centre platforms. Will there be an updated staircase and lift fit-out to these platforms…?

Speaking of Clondalkin, does anyone know why there’s two station buildings here, one on each side of the Fonthill Road bridge…? There is a closed lift shaft and a set of stairs which disappears up into the derelict one behind a boarded off gate. What was the point in the duplication…?

Out of random interest, does anyone know have any of the outside (current fast line) platforms ever been used?? And the same with the middle turnback at Adamstown, the tracks look like they haven’t seen a day of use, why was it built when Hazelhatch only one stop down also has one…

The station buildings themselves could also do with a refresh. I know Kishogue is brand new essentially and actually rather pleasant inside, but Adamstown is a loud and cold wind tunnel, and the same is true about Parkwest. Could really do with a small bit of TLC before the DART arrives.

Lastly, only a small bit of a personal gripe, but essentially all the stations have different platform numbering in place, the centre platforms being a messy mix of either 1/2, 2/4, or 2/3, and they don’t seem consistent with which side (up or down fast) is platform 1 at all. This would also be a welcome change for DART+ making the city bound platform number 1 and the southbound one number 2, just simplifying the wayfinding a bit more.

Didn’t know where else to put this without starting a whole new thread and thought it was probably appropriate here.

goingnowhere

At some stage or another all platforms have been used

Originally the two on the southern side while the 4 track section was built. Then a switch to the two on the northern side while the former two tracks where relaid, and then finally to the central platforms

bikeman1

I have been on a Portlaoise stopper which stopped at all the fast up platforms as there was a failed train on the slow. Kept the service going which was good that day.

dublinman1990

IÉ have been doing more overnight testing on the Dart+ trains between Inchicore & Hazelhatch over the weekend. The IÉ staff had placed sandbags inside the carriages to try & find out the speed of the trains when it's carrying extra weight. The extra weight in these scenarios is to simulate additional passengers inside the train. I have no idea about the results of these tests at the moment. There is a 2 minute video on Youtube showing the test in action.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123801861#Comment_123801861

West (and SW?) Fairly advanced in procurement

I don’t think so?

AFAIK the tenders for the initial construction projects are out now but it will be a while yet before anyone breaks ground.

What maddens me is that tenders that are currently out for bids could have been published a year ago, with just a little bit of common sense.

riddlinrussell

Sorry, when I said procurement I meant "the process of procuring contractors and materials"

spacetweek

Yes, it’s a mystery to me that Dart+W received PP in July 2024 and they’re still mucking about with tendering. Should’ve been ready to go with the documents. Probably something to do with the depot.

cgcsb

DART+ changed their lead consultant between planning phase and tender phase, it was an essential change, there were major competency issues with the previous consultant and it shows in the planning documents, a complete mess compared to similar projects. Hopefully the planning to tender transition will be much smoother with other projects.

goingnowhere

DART+W was at a standstill due two JR's taken, which were resolved recently. The failure to get the depot approved has also forced a rethink and more planning work.

Tenders are out currently

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123820840#Comment_123820840

DART+W was at a standstill due two JR's taken, which were resolved recently. 

As has been discussed at great length here, the JRs related to a very small section of the line at Ashtown.

The tenders which are currently out for redevelopment of Connolly and the construction of Spencer Dock station absolutely could have been published a year ago.

goingnowhere

Only happened to be the most complex piece of engineering on the entire DART+W

Under the process while the JR might relate to a tiny section the entire RO is up in the air until a ruling is obtained. It is not good form to tender while the JR is in place, courts won't like it and bidders won't waste money on putting a bid together on something which might not happen

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123821069#Comment_123821069

"The courts won't like it" - what?

The legislation is specifically written to allow work to proceed while the JR is in process. Why on earth would the High Court have an issue with that.

When I pointed out IE's incompetence and laziness here last year, I was told that the whole project had to be put up as a single tender. Now we have individual discrete tenders for Connolly and Spencer Dock so there is absolutely no reason these could not have been published a year ago.

Even if Ashtown never sees a Dart (and with IE on the case, that is very possible), the Connolly works are imperative for the whole system and delaying it for no good reason is indefensible.

Skyte

Can we talk about the Connoly Station redevelopments? https://www.dartplus.ie/S3mvc/media/DART-West-Railway-Order/4%20EIAR/Volume%204%20Appendices/Chapter%2004%20Description%20of%20the%20Proposed%20Development/A4-1-Connolly-Design-Report.pdf

It plans to drastically reduce the passengers having to go through Platform 4 to get to/from Platforms 5,6 and 7 by making a new entrance on Preston St. Is it just me that thinks no ones will actually use that entrance? Dont most people need to get into the centre, so theyre trying to get the Luas, which still requires them to go through Plaform 4, or even if they walk, theyre now right in front of yup boy central.

Zebra3

Increases permeability and hopefully can help regenerate the area around it.

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123821255#Comment_123821255

It’ll take an awful lot more than a new station entrance on Preston St to regenerate that area sadly.

loco_scolo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123821243#Comment_123821243

Not sure what the issue is here. It's a 500m walk from Preston Street to the Dart platforms, despite being able to see the platforms from that location. A lot of people live in that area.

In fact, that area has the highest population density in the entire city!!...

OisinCooke

I was reading the plans there and it seems there is no plan to replace the existing canopy on platforms 6/7, but rather to just extend it slightly to reach the new lifts. I had heard somewhere before that there was plans to fully replace it as it has passed its sell-by quite significantly… any clarification anyone?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123821445#Comment_123821445

It goes back a fair bit alright, it still has warning signs about the OHLE that has the 1987-94 Irish Rail logo on it.

loyatemu

the Preston St designs do look pretty cool, but would it not be easier and cheaper to just reopen the old Dart entrance?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123821420#Comment_123821420

That area also sadly suffers from more social issues and deprivation than almost any other part of the city.

Given that reality, I am not really sure what relevance the local population density is given that they’re not likely to be commuting in significant numbers.