Multidisciplinary team appointed for Dublin’s landmark MetroLink programme

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has appointed a multidisciplinary client partner team for Dublin’s MetroLink programme – Ireland’s first metro railway. Mace will work as part of the client team, led by Turner & Townsend and alongside WSP, supported by O’Connor Sutton Cronin, and PwC.

Running for 18.8km, MetroLink will be a high-capacity, high-frequency metro railway with 16 new stations running from Swords to the north of the Irish capital to Charlemont in the south. 

Anticipated to carry up to 50 million passengers annually, the new network will act as an integrator for existing air, rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services across the Greater Dublin Area. It will also provide a direct line to Dublin Airport from the city centre and stops at key city locations including Ballymun, O’Connell Street and St. Stephen’s Green.

Effective immediately, each of the partners has been collectively appointed to a framework which runs for 13 years until 2036. 12 years have been allocated for development and construction, with a further year to bring MetroLink into operation.

With much of the route running underground and plans for 30 trains every hour in each direction, journey times from Swords to the city centre will be cut down to 25 minutes. The project supports the advancement of Ireland to a low emissions transport system, while contributing to the country’s sustainable economic development and population growth.  

Frank Randles, Country Director for Ireland, Mace Consult said: 

“Mace recently published research placing Ireland at third in a global construction index, pointing to its status as a booming market for construction and infrastructure, and the MetroLink programme is testament to this.

“MetroLink represents a fantastic opportunity to prove that Ireland can deliver major infrastructure efficiently and in support of its people. From the creation of a high-functioning delivery partner team that leverages complementary skills from across our industry, to the transformative impact this scheme will have in the region, we’re excited to collaborate with our partners and draw on our project and programme delivery consultancy expertise to set a leading example for our industry.”

Aidan Foley, MetroLink Project Director, Transport Infrastructure Ireland said: 

“The appointment of Turner & Townsend, WSP supported by O’Connor Sutton Cronin, Mace and PwC to the role of Client Partner represents a key milestone in the development of the MetroLink project and underlines the Irish State’s commitment to delivering this much needed project. The successful delivery of MetroLink is essential if Dublin is to have a fully integrated public transport system. 

“We believe the terms of engagement through the NEC4 professional services contract represents a real opportunity to work collaboratively and productively towards achieving our shared project goals. We are looking forward to working closely with our new colleagues to advance the project through the next stage of its development.”