Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Luas Green Line extension to Finglas has become the Republic's first scheme to achieve a BREEAM Infrastructure 6 rating and the country's first transport project to secure an 'Excellent' score at the strategy and design stage. The project has also been shortlisted as a finalist for September's BREEAM Awards in the People & Communities category.

BREEAM is a leading, science-based framework used globally to assess, verify and certify sustainability across the built environment, from design and construction through operation to refurbishment.

TII appointed Egis to deliver the Luas Finglas Preliminary Design and Statutory Process, including development of the reference design to support a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála. As part of this work, Egis carried out a Public Life Tool Assessment of open spaces along the proposed route, using methodologies developed by Jan Gehl and the Gehl Institute to map public life and analyse the physical and social qualities of public spaces.

The People & Communities category evaluates the social value created by development, aiming to prioritise occupant health, deliver community benefits and build consensus through early engagement with public and private stakeholders. Luas Finglas achieved an Excellent rating of 83.73%, demonstrating strong performance across eight BREEAM categories: Management; Resources (Materials & Waste); Energy & Carbon; Water; Land Use & Ecology; Pollution; Resilience & Adaptation; and People & Communities (Social Value/Stakeholders).

-- Advertisement --

Shaped by extensive stakeholder engagement, gender-sensitive design and detailed public life analysis, the scheme blends accessible transport with 70% green track, improved cycling routes and reimagined public spaces to prioritise inclusivity and long-term community benefit.

The extension is intended to strengthen connectivity for communities in Finglas and Charlestown, support regeneration and economic activity, encourage a shift from private cars to public transport, and integrate walking and cycling throughout the corridor. It places a strong emphasis on accessibility, social inclusion and environmental enhancement, including biodiversity measures and substantial landscaping.

David Weldon, Head of Light Rail, Dublin Metropolitan Area, TII, said: "BREEAM Infrastructure has played a central role in embedding measurable sustainability outcomes into Luas Finglas from the outset. It has driven a clear focus on carbon, materials and community performance, while fostering strong collaboration across the TII and Egis project team. Achieving a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating reflects TII's commitment to delivering high quality, sustainable public transport infrastructure that creates long-term value for the communities it will serve."

Julien Phan Hoang Director of Rail from Egis said: "Achieving an Excellent BREEAM Infrastructure rating is a significant milestone for Luas Finglas and reflects the high sustainability standards embedded throughout its design. Environmental innovation and stakeholder engagement have played a central role in shaping decisions around carbon, biodiversity, materials and the needs of local communities. As the first transport project in Ireland to achieve this standard, Luas Finglas sets a new benchmark for sustainable light rail and reflects Egis' commitment as a designer to delivering infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities and the environment."

Luas Finglas is the next extension of the Luas Green Line, creating a new public transport link between Charlestown, Finglas Village, Finglas West, St Helena's, Tolka Valley and the city centre. The 3.9km route will add four stops—St Helena's, Finglas Village, St Margaret's and Charlestown—along with a 350-vehicle park-and-ride near the St Margaret's Road stop close to the M50. The route will offer interchange with bus services at all new stops and with mainline rail at Broombridge.