Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, will seek Cabinet approval today for the Luas Finglas project to go to planning which, if prioritised, could be in operation by 2031.
The plan seeks to connect the existing Green line at Broombridge in Cabra via four new stops: St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road and Charlestown.
It’s estimated that 60,000 people could be serviced on the line which would run for nearly 4 kilometres.
If approved today, it would enable Transport Infrastructure Ireland to seek planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for its development.
The Luas Finglas will be mostly off-road, segregated from traffic, passing close to areas identified for new transport-oriented development, with the potential to open up lands for about 10,000 new homes.
The journey time from Charlestown, the furthest station, to College Green would be about 30 minutes, shaving about 17 minutes off the morning time commute by car.
It’s estimated that the new line will take about 440,000 private car journeys along the route off the roads.