The main route alternatives were evaluated against a number of objectives, including compliance with transport and land-use policy; environmental impact; social and economic benefits; transport integration; construction and operation costs; operational safety and efficiency and construction risk and efficiency.
An extensive public consultation exercise was carried out to support the route evaluation. During this initial phase of public consultation RPA used a mix of print and radio advertising, newsletter distribution, website communications and public open-days. This was designed to prompt and facilitate input from members of the public to let us know their views relating to the possible route options. RPA considered all submissions from members of the public when selecting the best overall route option.
In October 2006, RPA announced the preferred overall route for Metro North.
The emerging preferred route for Metro North runs underground from St. Stephen’s Green to north of Ballymun and continues above ground to a location south of Dublin Airport. Here it moves underground to run beneath Dublin Airport before continuing above ground via Swords to Belinstown.
It has underground stops at St. Stephen’s Green, O’Connell Bridge, Parnell Square, Mater, Drumcondra, Griffith Avenue, Dublin City University, Ballymun and Dublin Airport. It has above ground stops at Northwood, Dardistown, Fosterstown, Swords, Seatown, Estuary and Belinstown. With a future possible stop at Lissenhall, just south of Belinstown.
Metro North is 18km long and is expected to carry some 34 million passengers a year once it is operational allowing passengers to:
- Travel quickly and easily from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre in under 20 minutes
- Travel quickly and easily from Dublin City Centre to Swords in under 30 minutes
- Hop on a Metro every 4 minutes at peak times
- Interchange easily to Rail, Luas and Bus Services
- Access the Metro from well beyond its immediate catchment area by availing of 2,600 Park & Ride spaces
In June 2008, RPA published an Archaeological Strategy for Dublin Metro North. Click here to view or download this strategy document.
Next Steps
This phase in the development of Metro Airport/Swords is now complete; click here to view the present phase of this project.