The application will extend the electrified Dart network from Hazelhatch and Celbridge to Heuston Station and the South city, via Phoenix Park Tunnel.
The application was lodged in May last year, and will enhance transport options for communities in Hazelhatch and Celbridge, Adamstown, Clondalkin and Fonthill, Parkwest and Cherry Orchard, Drumcondra, and at a new station at Heuston West.
The Dart+ expansion is a major element of the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, 2022-2042.
Dart+ is being delivered by Iarnród Éireann on behalf of the NTA and says it will “quadruple customer capacity”.
Some of the planned infrastructure improvements involved in Dart+ South West include 20km of electrification and re-signalling of the Hazelhatch and Celbridge Line to Heuston and the south city via Phoenix Park Tunnel.
There will also be the construction of a new station at Heuston West to serve the community of Clancy Quay and Island Bridge.
Four-tracking of the rail line from Park West and Cherry Orchard Station to Heuston will also be carried out to enhance capacity.
All civil, bridge and ancillary works will be completed as necessary to accommodate the project along with upgrading of the Phoenix Park Tunnel.
New electric Dart carriages will also be deployed on Hazelhatch and Celbridge services.
The procurement process will now commence for the construction stage and, subject to funding being allocated, it is anticipated that construction on the Dart+ South West project will begin in 2026.
“Today is a great day for the communities of north Kildare and south Dublin, the provision of Dart services will transform commuting for the existing and new communities along this railway corridor,” Chief Executive of Irish Rail, Jim Meade said.
“It will make travelling with us more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable. This is the second Dart+ project to receive planning. Dart+ West Railway Order was granted in July of this year.
“Dart+ Coastal North Railway Order Application was lodged last September and South will follow.
“The Dart+ programme, when delivered, will truly revolutionise commuting in the Greater Dublin Area and assist in meeting Ireland’s climate action targets by reducing reliance on the private car and providing sustainable high frequency, high-capacity transport,” he added.
