DART+ Cósta Thuaidh
Welcome to the DART+ Coastal North Project
The third of the infrastructural projects of the DART+ Programme to be delivered will be the DART+ Coastal North Project. This rail improvement project will provide an extension of the existing electrified rail network from Malahide and Drogheda MacBride stations and will provide the infrastructure to facilitate an increase to the rail capacity on the Northern Line between Dublin City Centre and Drogheda MacBride Station, including the Howth Branch. Iarnród Éireann has now closed the first round of Public Consultation for the DART+ Coastal North project, as of 8th April 2022.
DART+ Coastal North Virtual Exhibition Room
Iarnród Éireann wants to provide you with every possible opportunity to learn about the DART+ Coastal North Project and get involved in the design development process. A virtual exhibition space has been created to provide information, similar to the exhibition events that would have traditionally been held in local communities. This virtual space is aimed at increasing the public knowledge of, and improving engagement with, the project but from the safety and comfort of your personal surroundings.
DART+ Coastal North Introduction
Iarnród Éireann has now closed the 1st round of non-statutory public consultation (as of 8th April 2022) on the ‘Emerging Preferred Option’ (EPO) for the DART+ Coastal North project. All feedback and submissions received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the ongoing design development. Following a full appraisal of the feedback, a public consultation report will be prepared to document this process and it will be included in an Emerging Preferred Option Public Consultation No.1 Findings Report (to be presented at Public Consultation No. 2).
The project will:
Extend the electrification of the Northern Line from Malahide to Drogheda, including re-signalling of the line;
Facilitate the future increase in capacity and frequency of trains through the construction of train stabling and other necessary rail infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of Drogheda MacBride, Malahide, Clongriffin and Howth Junction & Donaghmede Stations;
Enabling the use of a shuttle service on the Howth Branch;
Reduce carbon emissions through the deployment of new electric trains;
Support growing communities, businesses, and future development by providing high-quality integrated public transport services in line with Government policy including the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan.
Your knowledge will help inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to improve our project plans, ensuring that it will be beneficial for you and the communities it will serve.
Delivery of the DART+ Coastal North project will support existing communities along the railway and support future sustainable development. The project will serve all existing stations along the railway corridor between Dublin City Centre and Drogheda MacBride Station, including those located on the Howth Branch, with electric powered trains that have a lower carbon footprint than the existing diesel trains. The frequency and quality of service will provide a viable transport alternative to communities along the route and help encourage people to migrate from private car use. This will assist Ireland in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and help combat climate change.
The extended electrification of the Northern Line will in so far as possible remain within the existing railway corridor. However, studies are ongoing for certain infrastructural interventions, which may require additional land take e.g., substations, bridge modifications and construction compounds.
Key Infrastructural Elements
The DART+ Coastal North Project extends from East Wall Junction (Tolka River) as far as Drogheda MacBride Station and is inclusive of the Howth Branch of the Northern Line. The existing extents of electrified rail infrastructure currently terminates at Malahide and it is proposed to extend this electrification, by circa 37km, as far north as Drogheda as part of the project. There are currently 19 operational stations included within the full extents of the DART+ Coastal North route bringing passengers into and out of the city centre.
DART+ Coastal North Route Map
The DART+ Coastal North Project extends from East Wall Junction (Tolka River) as far as Drogheda MacBride Station and is inclusive of the Howth Branch of the Northern Line. The existing extents of electrified rail infrastructure currently terminates at Malahide and it is proposed to extend this electrification, by circa 37km, as far north as Drogheda as part of the project. There are currently 19 operational stations included within the full extents of the DART+ Coastal North route bringing passengers into and out of the city centre.
Benefits of DART+ Coastal North
This project will have far reaching positive transportation effects by providing a sustainable transport system with increased passenger capacity and frequency. This will be beneficial to surrounding and future communities and will assist in reducing dependency on private cars.
Public Consultation Process
Public participation is a key element to the delivery of major infrastructure projects, such as DART+ Coastal North.
View Public Consultation InformationEmerging Preferred Option
The preliminary option assessment studies have led to the identification of the ‘Emerging Preferred Option’ as presented.
Next Steps
Here you will find information on the option selection, design development methodology and the railway order application process.
Useful Resources & Downloads
Here you will find useful DART+ Coastal North material for you to download.