Expansion plans for DART includes new Celbridge line

Plans for a new DART line to Celbridge, as well as an expansion of the DART system, have been revealed. As part of a wider expansion, new DART routes from Dublin City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge train stations in Co. Kildare will be added.

The system's planning is set to begin by the end of March, and will include a new 20-kilometer electrified network. Work is scheduled to begin in 2025, subject to planning approvals and funding. As a result the new network is expected to be completed by the end of the decade.

The projects also include the construction of new train stations, such as Heuston West in Islandbridge, as well as the expansion of the rail track between Park West and Heuston. By making the Phoenix Park Tunnel electrified, it allows DART-Trains to run between Hazelhatch, Celbridge, and Connolly Station, among other locations.

NEW DART LINE to South West & Celbridge:

👷Construction of new station, Heuston West
🏞️Tunnel under Phoenix Park
🚃20km of newly electrified rail network
🚃Dublin to Celbridge connected
🚃Approx doubling of train services pic.twitter.com/i9NWUhBCxo

— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) March 8, 2023

At peak times, up to 11 trains per hour should be able to stop at the stations once completed. According to the Department of Transport, this will significantly increase the number of passengers and allow more than 20,000 guests to travel to and from Dublin.

The Department adds that this project is part of the wider DART programme, which would triple the current 53-kilometre rail network to a total length of 150 kilometres. The DART routes to Drogheda in the north, Maynooth and the M3 Parkway in the west, and Hazelhatch and Celbridge in the southwest will also be extended.

In a statement, it says that the project "will allow many more people to travel conveniently and sustainably by public transport. The number of people living within 1km of a DART station will increase hugely from about 250,000 at present to 600,000 in future."

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan added: "This rail project will transform the lives of people living in communities along the route, giving them a fast, reliable and frequent train service into Dublin. It also means that we can move ahead with good, transport led planning, facilitating vital affordable new housing along the route."

"I look forward to the DART+ Programme rolling-out further in the coming years. We’ll start this with the delivery of the first batch of 90 new DART carriages arriving next year. This will see new DART services between Drogheda and Dublin city from early 2025, before then expanding to other areas including Hazelhatch and Celbridge."

Minister for Transport @EamonRyan has announced approval by Cabinet for @IrishRail DART+ South West to enter the planning system.

DART+ South West will see:
🚃20km of newly electrified rail network
🚃Dublin to Celbridge connected
🚃Approx doubling of train services pic.twitter.com/zuFALhIkjc

— Department of Transport (@Dept_Transport) March 8, 2023