Major construction work on the DART+ West project is set to begin this weekend, marking an important step in the expansion of Dublin's rail network.
Irish Rail will carry out the first significant infrastructure works between Hansfield and M3 Parkway from Friday night, October 30, until Monday morning, November 2.
Around 120 Irish Rail workers will be involved in the operation, which will see railway tracks lowered beneath two road bridges to make room for the overhead electrical wires needed to power future DART services.
Lowering the tracks means the existing bridges will not need to be raised or replaced.
The work will begin after the final train on Friday, with normal services expected to resume on Monday morning.
However, passengers travelling over the weekend should be aware of some disruption.
There will be no train services between Clonsilla and M3 Parkway on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1.
Replacement buses will operate between Clonsilla, Hansfield, Dunboyne and M3 Parkway, with passengers advised to check the revised timetables before travelling.
The works mark the beginning of a much larger programme of improvements under DART+ West, which aims to extend electrified rail services from Dublin city centre towards Maynooth, Kilcock and M3 Parkway.
The project will include around 40km of electrification and signalling upgrades, allowing for more frequent services and increased passenger capacity.
Plans also include a new station at Spencer Dock, improvements at Connolly Station, the closure of six level crossings and a new maintenance depot west of Kilcock, subject to separate approval.
The wider DART+ programme aims to triple the length of Dublin's electrified rail network from 50km to 150km, while doubling overall passenger capacity.
Irish Rail has also ordered 285 new DART carriages, with the first trains expected to enter service on the Drogheda line in the second quarter of 2027.
While passengers will not see the benefits immediately, this weekend's work represents an important first step towards a more extensive and modern commuter rail network.
Passengers affected by the weekend closures are advised to check the Irish Rail website for the latest travel arrangements before setting out.
