P&D Lydon, a Mayo-based construction firm, has been awarded the contract to commence works at Oranmore Station in County Galway.

The first phase involves the construction of an underpass to connect the existing platform with a planned new platform and second track.

The project will deliver a one-kilometre section of double track and a new 185-metre-long second platform. These upgrades will enable trains to pass in both directions on the currently single-track Athenry to Galway line, allowing services at Oranmore to increase to every 30 minutes in each direction.

The works are being carried out in partnership with Galway County Council and are jointly funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), and by the Department of Transport via the National Transport Authority.

The new platform will be located north of the current one and accessed via the underpass, which will also include a dedicated cycle route to adjoining lands. Accessibility features will include stairs, a lift, and an access ramp. Passenger facilities such as shelters, help points, information signage, lighting, CCTV, and seating will be installed.

Additional URDF and Galway County Council funding is supporting the design of a multi-storey car park at the existing station, as well as an Ecopark and Local Centre at Garraun and a Density Typology Study, both of which are at an advanced design stage.

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Minister of State at the Department of Transport, with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney was at Oranmore station yesterday (August 11) to mark the contract signing to commence works.

Speaking at the station, Minister Canney said: "These works are part of a series of rail station upgrades ongoing across the country, including at Ceannt Station in Galway and at Kent Station in Cork where we opened a new platform in April. We are also planning for a new station in Moyross in Limerick and the construction of a new Plunket Station in Waterford. These station works will help provide people with a more frequent and efficient rail service. I look forward to continuing to advance these projects and to progress the vision set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the years ahead."

Meanwhile, Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, added: "This will be a game changer for commuters from Oranmore. It is a busy station and by upgrading the infrastructure, we will be able to provide more services and more capacity, making commuting by train an even more attractive option. Work is also underway on a study of the Galway – Dublin rail corridor to identify other ways that we can increase, capacity, frequency and speed on this route."

The benefits of the project include:

• As well as improving services to the existing community, the improvements will facilitate the planned development of the surrounding lands as set out in the Garraun Urban framework Plan, allowing development to be both compact and sustainable, with high quality public transport at its doorstep;

• The scheme will provide the opportunity for improved public transport frequency and accessibility serving both the station and surrounding area;

• The scheme supports a variety of national and local policies, including the Climate Action Plan, NIFTI, National Development Plan, Galway County Development Plan, and the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan;

• Modal switch to rail facilitated by the scheme will help to improve the environment through reductions in noise and emissions, and improvements in local air quality.

It is planned to undertake advanced enabling works and building of the underpass in Autumn 2025. Construction of the main station works will start early in 2026 and the project is expected to be completed in Summer 2027.