The first phases of the Dublin MetroLink rail project have gone to tender at a maximum value of just under €8 billion, excluding VAT, but Transport Infrastructure Ireland says it expects the bids for the project to be considerably less than this.
In a statement, TII said it is inviting bids for the first two contracts for the project to deliver tunnelling, stations, track alignment preparation and a wide range of structures such as bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, which it says will form the core physical infrastructure of Ireland's first metro system.
"The maximum combined contract value stated in the Contract Notice is €7.9 billion excluding VAT, which includes construction works and services, inflation and risk costs for both contracts. The selected Contractors will be asked to prepare bids and TII expects the tenders to be considerably less than the Contract Notice values."
TII said the start of the procurement process is a "pivotal milestone" in the delivery of the long promised rail link between Swords and Dublin city centre with MetroLink Programme Director, Dr Seán Sweeney describing it as "a significant step forward" for the project.
TII Chief Executive Lorcan O’Connor said the start of the tender process is "the beginning of a process that will ultimately identify the organisations that will deliver the main civil engineering works associated with MetroLink".
MetroLink said the procurement process begins with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire stage, designed to assess a bidder’s capability to deliver the contract before they are invited to submit a full tender.
It says a shortlist of pre-qualified applicants will be invited to submit detailed tenders for the two contracts.
MetroLink has previously said it was considering a scheme to compensate unsuccessful bidders for the project but such a deal has not yet been agreed with the Government.
It says the first contract will cover the southern section of the line from Charlemont to Northwood and deliver bored railway tunnels, tunnel portals, evacuation and intervention and ventilation shafts
It will involve below ground station excavations at Charlemont, St Stephen’s Green, Tara Station, O’Connell, Mater, Glasnevin, Griffith Park, Collins Avenue, Ballymun, Northwood up to 35m deep, including shell and core structure along with ancillary civil and accommodation works.
The contract notice value for this work is almost €4.6 billion excluding VAT.
The second contract covering the northern section of the line from Northwood to Estuary will involve the construction of a number of Viaducts, park and ride facilities and preparation of a depot at Dardistown along with stations, excavations and associated logistics at Dardistown, Fosterstown, Swords Central, Seatown, and Estuary.
The contract notice value for this is €3.3bn, excluding VAT.
It says applicants may apply for one or both lots but can only be awarded one contract.
