The Dublin suburban rail strategic review, commissioned by CIE in 1999, has recently been finalised. One of the options identified in the recommendations of the study is a new east-west tunnel linking the northern and-or western suburban lines with the Kildare line. Another option identified is the diversion of Kildare trains to Connolly via the existing Phoenix Park tunnel but, according to the study, this should only be considered if the east-west tunnel cannot be implemented.
The study provides an important input into the work of the Dublin Transportation Office in preparing their updated transportation strategy for the period 2016. The DTO made a preliminary presentation of its proposed strategy to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructural Development and Public Private Partnerships at it meeting in April last. The DTO is now completing the work on its updated strategy for formal submission to Government.
When the Government has considered the DTO recommendations and the findings of the Dublin suburban rail strategic review, it will then be in a position to decide on an updated longer term transportation strategy for the greater Dublin area and on the principal projects and investment priorities flowing from that strategic decision.
