A new proposed Luas line linking Dublin City Centre to Bray in Co. Wicklow has emerged as the leading option for the Dublin Eastern Bypass Corridor.
That’s according to a fresh transport assessment prepared for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which signals a significant shift away from earlier plans for a motorway through South Dublin. Instead, planners are now prioritising a public transport solution, with a Luas extension identified as the preferred route.
The proposed line would run via University College Dublin (UCD) and Sandyford, creating a direct link between key residential, employment, and commercial hubs. Data from the study suggests that a Luas connection through UCD could reduce commuter travel times by more than 50 per cent.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has confirmed that a capacity study of the Luas Green Line will begin before the end of the year, a necessary step before any southern extension can proceed. The agency has stressed that increasing capacity on the existing line is essential to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger numbers.
“Extending the route without addressing current capacity constraints would not be viable,” briefing documents note, highlighting that upgrades must come first.
The long-term vision for the project is outlined in the National Transport Authority (NTA)’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022–2042. This strategy identifies an extension south of Bride’s Glen towards Bray as a key objective, though delivery timelines have shifted.
Earlier projections suggested completion by 2029, but the updated phased plan now places the Bray extension in the medium-term window between 2031 and 2036. “Delivery timelines remain subject to planning, funding, and system capacity improvements,” the strategy states.
The proposed expansion is also closely linked to the planned MetroLink, with passenger flow changes expected to influence how the Green Line operates in future. A separate 2019 study indicated trams could run every 7.5 minutes during peak hours, with interchange at Sandyford.
Proposed stops along the extended route include Stonebridge Road, Crinken Lane, Old Connaught Avenue, Dublin Road, and Bray DART Station, offering improved connectivity across South Dublin and North Wicklow.
“This represents a major shift toward sustainable, high-capacity public transport infrastructure,” the report concludes, underscoring the growing emphasis on reducing car dependency in the region.
