Scope
- Relay of 36 miles of track and related works
- Mini CTC signalling between Athenry and Limerick
- Passing loops at Gort and Ennis
- New stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell and Oranmore
Progress
Rail Users Ireland has seen numerous photographs to prove Iarnród Éireann commenced extensive work in mid July 2007, consisting of excavation, marking out and track removal.
By mid October several hundred meters of new track and sleepers had been laid in near Craughwell. New pointwork arrived Gort second week November.
Costs
The costs of WRC have long been in dispute. The WRC supporters have consistently put forward unrealistic cost estimates. While the West On Track backed McCann report quoted 74.7 million for the Ennis Athenry section, Iarnród Éireann have since quoted a figure of €106.5 million which at 41% more and is a far more realistic figure.
Full cost details are available here.
Completion
The original estimate of 2008 was unrealistic as the scale of works had been underestimated. With no planning difficulties in the way a mid 2009 opening date is realistic.