Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a major investment programme to upgrade the Kildare line to provide additional capacity. This is being designed to meet the predicted demand levels for rail services on the corridor in question and is one of the projects benefiting under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The project is also included in the DTO strategy, A Platform for Change.
The project involves developing Heuston Station as well as track and signalling work along the line to Kildare and is being funded from Exchequer and EU sources.
The work at Heuston Station will cost an estimated €117 million and more than €65 million is being provided this year. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that this work will over the next 18 months lead to increases in Kildare route commuter capacity and for a number of Intercity services. The first phase of this work will: increase the number of platforms in Heuston Station from five to nine, with platforms lengthened for increased number of services; remodel the trackwork at Heuston and the approaches to the station to allow for more flexible operations, and reduce delays; resignal the Heuston and Inchicore cabin areas to modern computerised signalling; and see a secondary concourse provided to improve customer comfort and facilities at Heuston.
Iarnród Éireann will also start taking delivery this year of 80 new diesel railcars.
When the work at Heuston Station is finished next year and when the rolling stock goes into service, there will be significant additional capacity for commuters. There will also be major safety benefits associated with the project.
In addition work is being planned to increase the capacity of the track and signalling system and my department is expecting to receive shortly a submission from Iarnród Éireann in that respect. The project is expected to be completed in 2005.