BREAKING: Major improvements announced for Tipperary railway line

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed it is progressing the Limerick Colbert to Limerick Junction Capacity Enhancement Project which will deliver the infrastructure upgrades required to increase rail capacity, improve journey times and reliability, and accommodate future passenger and freight demand along the approximately 34km section of the railway corridor.

Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority, the next phase of the Limerick Colbert to Limerick Junction Capacity Enhancement Project will deliver Preliminary design proposals and prepare the planning application.

Concept development, and options selection works have taken place to date identifying the infrastructure upgrades needed to deliver the planned service improvements. The proposed infrastructure interventions consist of the delivery of 26km of double tracking to support increased rail capacity and improve journey times and reliability. This project will enable Iarnród Éireann to provide a more frequent service on this route, more capacity and more onward connections.

It will also consist of a level crossing safety improvements through the proposed closure of a number of user-worked crossings and upgrades to existing public road crossings.

Upgrades to signalling infrastructure, line speed, bridges and drainage along the route.

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, in Limerick today to outline ambitious plans for growth and enhanced connectivity in the mid-west region and sign the contract for the Limerick Colbert to Limerick Junction Rail Capacity Enhancement Project said: “Iarnród Éireann is committed to delivering a rail network that drives regional growth and enhances connectivity. As work on the Limerick to Foynes Freight Line reinstatement nears completion, planning for future investment and growth in the mid-west continues. Today we’ve signed a contract with Aecom and Jacobs to bring us through to planning stage on the Limerick Colbert to Limerick Junction Capacity Enhancement Project. This project, through double tracking and level crossing enhancements, will help to deliver more services and improved journey times to rail users in the Limerick Area. Enhancing the rail line between Limerick Colbert and Limerick Junction, a critical section of the network, will support better connection between Limerick and the surrounding areas and also with Dublin, Cork, and Waterford.”

Iarnród Éireann have appointed Jacobs and AECOM as the design team to build on the previous feasibility work and progress the designs through further development, the preparation of business cases and the submission of planning applications.

Mitch Tunikowski, SVP, Head of Growth & Sales Europe, Jacobs and Richard Whitehead, Chief Executive for Europe & India, AECOM, representing the AECOM and Jacobs joint venture, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to Iarnród Éireann’s new Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Framework, with the Limerick-Limerick Junction project as the first commission. By bringing together Jacobs’ and AECOM’s multidisciplinary rail expertise, international best practice and local knowledge, we will help Iarnród Éireann manage risk and accelerate delivery, with the aim of increasing network capacity, improving reliability and delivering long-term benefits for passengers and communities across Ireland.”

Ground investigation surveys are currently progressing to support to support next phase of these design works.

The project team are working towards a 2027 planning submission with main construction works to follow. In advance of planning submission, the project will seek to engage with all relevant stakeholders.

It is anticipated that the increased services will be running on the line from 2032.

This is the latest milestone for the region coming as test trains begin operating on the newly reinstated Limerick to Foynes Freight Line and tender documents for the construction of platform extensions between Limerick and Athenry were published earlier this week.

Iarnród Éireann says delivering these important infrastructure interventions across the rail network ensures provision of a more sustainable transport option for more communities and freight customers.