The Luas BDX project linking up the two existing light rail lines has been granted a Railway Order by An Bord Pleanala.
The news was welcomed by Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, who said that it will revolutionise public transport in Dublin.
"It will deliver a joined up commuter railway network by linking the two existing Luas lines. It will extend Luas into the north inner city to the new DIT campus at Grangegorman and will terminate at Broombridge where it will interchange with the Maynooth line."
"When complete, Dublin will have an integrated rail and light rail network that is the norm in other modern cities. For the first time, it will be possible to get a train in Maynooth or Leixlip and get out in Dundrum or Sandyford with just one change. Similarly, you will be able to get on the Luas at Tallaght and with just one change, get out at the new DIT campus or at Trinity College," Minister Varadkar added.
"The Business Case for Luas BXD needs to be updated to take into account the changes made by An Board Pleanala. However I am confident that the business case remains robust and I expect that the arrangements for advance works and tendering will be finalised as soon as possible. This morning I have instructed the RPA to begin work on this immediately with the intention that construction can commence in the near future."
The news was welcomed by Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, who said that it will revolutionise public transport in Dublin.
"It will deliver a joined up commuter railway network by linking the two existing Luas lines. It will extend Luas into the north inner city to the new DIT campus at Grangegorman and will terminate at Broombridge where it will interchange with the Maynooth line."
"When complete, Dublin will have an integrated rail and light rail network that is the norm in other modern cities. For the first time, it will be possible to get a train in Maynooth or Leixlip and get out in Dundrum or Sandyford with just one change. Similarly, you will be able to get on the Luas at Tallaght and with just one change, get out at the new DIT campus or at Trinity College," Minister Varadkar added.
"The Business Case for Luas BXD needs to be updated to take into account the changes made by An Board Pleanala. However I am confident that the business case remains robust and I expect that the arrangements for advance works and tendering will be finalised as soon as possible. This morning I have instructed the RPA to begin work on this immediately with the intention that construction can commence in the near future."