Major expansion for Ireland's busiest rail corridor

A major rail infrastructure programme expected to cost hundreds of millions of euro has been announced by Iarnród Éireann.

The busiest rail corridor in Ireland, between Dublin Connolly and Malahide, will now be increased from two tracks to four tracks.

The route has long been identified as a significant bottleneck causing delays that can spread across the wider rail network during peak travel periods.

The FourNorth project's aim is to increase capacity and enable more trains to operate on the route and improve timetable performance.

It is hoped the updated network is expected to deliver more frequent services and stronger connections between North Dublin, Meath, Louth and Belfast.

The project is jointly funded by the Department of Transport and the Eu's Connecting Europe Facility Transport programme.

The exact route for the project will be outlined after a public consultation due to take place later this year.

Iarnród Éireann said it will give communities, passengers, businesses and local authorities the opportunity to help shape the emerging design.

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine said: "FourNorth is about more than new tracks.

"It is about building a resilient, high-capacity rail corridor that supports everyday journeys, strengthens regional connections and helps deliver a sustainable transport future for Ireland - making space today for the needs of tomorrow."

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: "This Government is already making investments in the Northern Line to help ease rail congestion.

"Passing loops and turnback facilities are to be delivered at Mosney, Skerries, Malahide and Clongriffin in the next few years, supported by funding from the EU and the Shared Island Fund," he said.

"These investments will improve journey times and reliability for Enterprise and DART passengers," he added.