[Colm Moore]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0902/transport.html

Proposed DART link to airport would cost €200m
Updated: 15:29, Friday, 2 September 2011

Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case for a DART rail link to Dublin Airport to the Minister for Transport.

Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case for a DART rail link to Dublin Airport to Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.

The project, costing an estimated €200 million, would deliver direct services to the city centre through the construction of a 7km rail line from Clongriffin to the airport.

The projected journey time is estimated at 25 minutes.

Iarnród Éireann was asked by the Minister for Transport a number of months ago to submit a proposal - the business case was prepared by AECOM and Goodbody Economic Consultants.

The study predicts that such a link to the airport would see the number of passengers travelling by DART increase by more than 50%.

The proposed route from Clongriffin would pass through undeveloped land underneath the flightpath to the airport.

Around 500 jobs a year would be created during the construction of the link.

"Employment in the wider Airport environs is predicted to rise to 20,000 persons and some 38 million air passengers will use the Airport in 2030," according to the submission.

"This economic return is enhanced by the fact that construction of the Link will be largely in green field, thus minimising both the capital costs and the disruption during the construction phase."

Iarnród Éireann spokesperson Barry Kenny said there is a strong case for the project in terms of the tourism, environmental and business benefits.

Minister Varadkar has already said only one major transport project is likely to get the go-ahead.