An oral hearing has added months to the timeframe required for An Bord Pleanála to start the planning process for the proposed metro line for the city of Dublin.
MetroLink, the proposed metro line for the city of Dublin, replaces an earlier proposal called Metro North which was first recommended in the then Irish Government’s 2005 Transport 21 transport plan.
When completed, the MetroLink is expected to accommodate up to 53m passengers annually, covering 16 new stations including the Dublin Airport, Ballymun, and various hospitals and universities.
An Bord Pleanála say the the complex application and the volume of submissions received has caused the decision time frame to be extended and an oral hearing will likely commence in February 2024.
In December, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said he believes the MetroLink will be operational in the early 2030s.
The line is proposed to run from Estuary on Dublin’s northside to Charlemont on the south of the city, with stops including Dublin Airport, O’Connell Street and St. Stephen’s Green. The proposed route consists of mainly uncovered sub-surface track in the Swords area, a tunnel under Dublin Airport, further uncovered sub-surface track until the M50, with a deep bore tunnel running from Northwood to Charlemont.
