Iarnród Éireann has unveiled revised plans for an underground DART service between Dublin's docklands and the Inchicore area of the city.

The service, which will allow passenger numbers on DART and commuter lines to treble from 33 million passengers to 100 million, will cost €2 billion to deliver and will be built under a Public-Private Partnership deal.

The project will see up to 20 trains travel in each direction per hour, carrying up to 64,000 commuters.

The service was originally due to terminate at Heuston Station, with stops at Pearse Station, St Stephen’s Green and Christchurch.

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However, Iarnród Éireann has announced the extension to Inchicore means the line will be constructed without disrupting existing services at Heuston.

The project will pave the way for two DART lines, and link Metro North, commuter, intercity and Luas services.

Changes announced yesterday include having the tunnel entrance, or portal, located at Inchicore instead of Heuston.

"The extension removes the requirement to increase the number of tracks between Inchicore and Heuston to meet the underground line," a spokesman said.

"This would have required significant property acquisitions and would cause serious disruption to residents, as well as road and rail users.

"No major road artery to or from the city will be affected by the portal areas."

It is understood the project, scheduled to begin late next year, will be completed by 2015.

(JM/BMcC)