A Railway Order application to extend the electrified DART network from Malahide to Drogheda has been green-lit by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority, under Project Ireland 2040, the DART+ Coastal North project will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda. The section between Malahide and Drogheda will nearly double in capacity, from about 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak hour/direction when complete.

Hugh Creegan from the National Transport Authority said: "This approval of DART+ Coastal North is a significant milestone in the transformation of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area and for the communities across North Dublin, East Meath, and Louth. This is more than about infrastructure. It is about connecting growing communities with sustainable, frequent and reliable transport that supports local development and helps reduce car dependency. Reaching this milestone marks an important step in delivering a better-connected public transport for the region."

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The planned infrastructure improvements as part of DART+ Coastal North include:

• 37km of electrification and re-signalling of the railway line between Malahide and Drogheda MacBride Stations;

• Reconstruction of the existing track layout and associated infrastructure in the vicinity of Drogheda MacBride, Malahide, Clongriffin and Howth Junction & Donaghmede Stations; including a new platform at Drogheda MacBride Station, and infrastructure to enable operational flexibility for both direct Howth to city and Howth to Howth Junction DART shuttle services as required;

• All civil, bridge and ancillary works as necessary to accommodate the project;

• Improvement of Howth Junction & Donaghmede Station;

• Modification to Fairview and Drogheda train Depots to support the new train fleet;

• Reconfiguration of track layout north of Malahide to provide a train turnback facility that does not move rail operations nearer to adjacent residences.

The procurement process will now commence for a design and build contractors. Once the contractors has been appointed, a period of detailed design will commence followed by construction. Subject to funding being allocated it is anticipated that construction will be in the region of three years.