Iarnród Éireann has appointed Mott MacDonald to lead its CONNECT intercity rail network project.
The national rail operator's project aims to more than double annual intercity passenger numbers by 2050.
It also expects to contribute to regional balance, and to support Ireland's Climate Action Plan and the EU Green Deal by enabling a significant modal shift from car to rail.
The project is being funded by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility and Ireland’s National Development Plan 2021–2030, and aims to modernise infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and deliver faster, more frequent and more sustainable services for passengers across Ireland.
It will focus on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Limerick corridors, with early findings suggesting that journey time reductions of up to 30 minutes on key intercity routes could be achieved through targeted infrastructure upgrades and higher line speeds of up to 200km/h.
Mott MacDonald said it will develop a comprehensive implementation strategy and decarbonisation roadmap, supported by detailed technical studies and stakeholder engagement.
Tony O’Toole, manging director for rail, UK & Europe at Mott MacDonald, said: "This is a pivotal moment for Irish transport and we are proud to help deliver a faster, greener and more connected future."
Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine, said its a significant investment by the European Union and with the Irish Government in "developing rail as the backbone of a sustainable transport system for Ireland’s citizens."
