(Article) "Interconnector on-track for 2016 completion"

Amtmann

IARNROD Eireann will seek planning permission early next year to build an underground DART line in Dublin costing up to €3bn.The proposed new line would run from the Docklands to Inchicore. Capacity would be 20 trains in each direction per hour, potentially allowing 64,000 commuters to use the line every 60 minutes.
The completed line would connect the Northern and Kildare rail lines and link all rail systems -- DART, commuter, intercity, Luas and Metro North -- into an integrated and cohesive network.
The rail operator intends to seek planning permission in the New Year to build the 7.5km line under Dublin city, which would be financed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
This means the private sector would build the line and receive annual payments over a concessionary period -- generally up to 20 years -- from the railway company to pay off construction costs.
Despite the economic downturn, the Government has told both Iarnrod Eireann and the Railway Procurement Agency -- which is planning the €3.7bn Metro North link from the city centre to Swords -- to continue designing the projects and secure planning permission so they are ready to go.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has said both projects are priorities. However, a decision on funding will not be made until planning permission is granted.
Iarnrod Eireann says the underground DART is the "single-most important piece of infrastructure" to ensure a shift from private to public transport.
Landmark
It said all options in relation to the PPP were being considered, including the length of time over which the project cost would be repaid.
"All options are being explored in relation to PPP including the concessionary period and the type of contract," a spokesman said.
"The Government has stated to us it is our number one priority for infrastructure and we are proceeding on that basis."
Five of the six stations on the 7.5km line would be constructed below ground, with an overground station at Inchicore.
The planned underground stations are located at Heuston, Christchurch, St Stephen's Green, Pearse Street and Docklands, and all are being designed to cater for a capacity of 60,000 people an hour to facilitate the future growth of the capital's transport service.
The company said the station entrances are being designed as "distinctive identifiable landmark structures", and that natural lighting would be used where possible.
The underground stations would be constructed using underground mining techniques that would minimise the effect on local residents.
Two tunnels, each containing a single track, would be excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
Each tunnel would have an average depth of 24 metres, over 80 feet, below ground level.
If the project gets the go-ahead, between 6,000 and 7,000 jobs in each year of the construction phase would be created.
Work would begin in 2011 and should be completed by 2016.
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/underground-dart-plans-on--rack-despite-euro3bn-price-tag-1951942.html

Enbee

Iarnrod Eireann says the underground DART is the "single-most important piece of infrastructure" to ensure a shift from private to public transport.

One reason why I'd rather it wasn't at risk of being compromised by the messiness a PPP could create.

That aside the description of its importance is absolutely correct. This is the kind of project that should have been at this stage ten years ago and become a legacy of the boom years rather than something that could even be considered worth axing to save money.

murphaph

Enbee wrote: »

One reason why I'd rather it wasn't at risk of being compromised by the messiness a PPP could create.

I probably would have agreed with you a few weeks ago but having read excerpts from the Baker Tilly report I'm left wondering if Irish Rail built it themselves, how much of the copper cable and concrete would end up in Anto and Micko's new extensions.

Sponge Bob

Is this the full interconnector including the electrification to Maynooth or the partial interconnector which is a tunnel ???

Does it include the electrification to Balbriggan or Drogheda ??

Does it include the missing link of Quad Track between the tunnel entrance and Ballyfermot and electrification to Hazelhatch ??

Frankly I think the section from Cherry Orchard Here to the Tunnel Entrance Here , around 1 mile or so and with 200 homes running along the north side of the workings , is so critical to the project that they will have to consider 24 hour working for months around 2012 in order that they do not crash IE which will hardly be able to run an Intercity Service during that time .

Those people will need to be housed elsewhere during much of that time .

BluntGuy

From an e-mail I recently got back from IE.

10. When is it envisaged partial electrification of commuter lines to facilitate the new DART lines will take place?

Response: Subject to Transport 21 phasing, we envisage that phase 1 of electrification will be completed by 2012/13.

Aard

Is phase 1 of electrification just to Maynooth and Hazelhatch, or is there more?