With one year to go, work progresses on Dunboyne rail line

Work on the new rail link between Clonsilla and Dunboyne, set to open in September next year, is running to schedule, according to Iarnrod Eireann. "We're still on programme for the opening," a spokesperson for the company said this week. When the line is finished, the station complex at Pace, Dunboyne, will boast the biggest car park in the country, with space for 1,200 vehicles. Ballast is currently being laid along the first section of the line with a view to commencing track-laying by the end of September. A number of accommodation bridges are now complete along the route and upgrading works are continuing to Barnhill, Stirling and Dunboyne bridges. The Royal Canal bridge was lifted into position last week, providing a link from Clonsilla Station over the Royal Canal. The Iarnrod Eireann spokesperson said that works were ongoing to each of the three stations along the rail route. Due to the presence of badgers along the route, artificial setts were constructed prior to the construction works commencing and the badgers were rehoused. The interchange at Pace has been substantially completed by the NRA/M3JV, who are building the M3 motorway, providing two bridges for the railway line. Work on the €160 million rail project started in December last year. The Clonsilla-Dunboyne section is to open in September 2010 before being extended to Navan by 2015. The line will branch off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla and terminate at Docklands Station in the city, with trains arriving every 30 minutes at peak time, which will be extended to every 15 minutes as demand increases. The main contract is being carried out by SIAC Construction. The new rail project will provide 7.5km of double track between Clonsilla and Dunboyne and the project includes three new stations, including the major park and ride facility just off the M3 at Pace.