The Cabinet has given the go-ahead to the construction of the first phase of the metro line for Dublin. The metro, when fully complete, is expected to carry over 200 million passengers a year.
The construction cost of the entire project is estimated at €7.2 million.
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke today gave the go-ahead for the new Rail Procurement Agency to seek expressions of interest from companies or consortia wishing to take part in the bidding process to design, build, operate and finance the new system.
The first phase of the metro would link the airport, Blanchardstown and Shankill to the city centre - 14 kilometres of which would be underground.
The second phase will see the extension of the Blanchardstown line southwards through Clondalkin and Tallaght to the city centre, a spur from Citywest to Tallaght and the extension of the airport line to Swords.
The LUAS and DART networks will have connection points to the metro, and feeder bus services will also link into it.
There were concerns that the ambitious metro project could be delayed because of objections to the underground section. The Dublin Transport Office is hoping that the construction of the Dublin Port Tunnel, which is due to commence later this year, will smooth its way
The DTO also believes that as most of the proposed underground metro section will affect commercial rather than residential areas, there is less chance of objections.
