Work to upgrade Dublin's Phoenix Park tunnel to provide a rail link for commuters from the Midlands to the city centre and IFSC began today.
The €13.7m project, along with new signalling works at Connolly Station, will allow train passengers on the Kildare line to travel further into Dublin city centre instead of getting off at Heuston Station.
It is reported that the upgraded tunnel will accommodate four trains an hour in one direction from towns including Carlow and Portlaoise when it re-opens to commuter services next year.
The Phoenix Park tunnel is nearly 700m long and links Heuston with the Maynooth line at Glasnevin, allowing a connection to Connolly and the Docklands.
But because of congestion at Connolly Station, the tunnel has rarely been used for passenger services since the 1970s.
There were two trains every Sunday from Galway and Limerick up until 2001 and it has also been used for special events.
At present, it is primarily used for freight and for transferring trains between maintenance depots.
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said: "For the first time, commuters on the popular Kildare suburban rail line will have frequent services directly into the heart of the south city business district.
"This will provide an attractive alternative for private motorists who currently commute into the city along the congested N7 corridor."
However, Iarnród Éireann admits the service will not provide a direct link between Heuston and Connolly stations as the trains will travel through Heuston some distance from other platforms.
It says this is not a replacement for the Dart Underground, which would allow a direct link between the city's two main stations with capacity for 40 trains an hour.
The Government has until 24 September to decide if it will begin funding the €4bn euro Dart Underground project, otherwise its planning permission will lapse.
