Team appointed for Dublin’s landmark MetroLink programme

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has appointed a multidisciplinary client partner team for Dublin’s MetroLink programme – Ireland’s first metro railway.  This partnership will be made up of Turner & Townsend, WSP supported by O’Connor Sutton Cronin, Mace and PwC.

Running for 18.8km, MetroLink will be a high-capacity, high-frequency metro railway with 16 new stations running from Swords to the north of the Irish capital to Charlemont in the south of the city.

Anticipated to carry up to 50 million passengers annually, the new network will act as an integrator for existing air, rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services across the Greater Dublin Area. It will also provide a direct line to Dublin Airport from the city centre and stops at key city locations including Ballymun, O’Connell Street and St Stephen’s Green.

Turner & Townsend will lead the client partner team, overseeing the delivery of the project. Effective immediately, each of the partners has been collectively appointed to a framework which will be in place for the duration of the design, procurement and construction phase, ultimately seeing MetroLink brought into operation.

With much of the route running underground and plans for 30 trains every hour in each direction, journey times from Swords to the city centre will be cut down to 25 minutes. The project supports the advancement of Ireland to a low emissions transport system, while contributing to the country’s sustainable economic development and population growth.

As lead partner, Turner & Townsend has acted as commercial advisor on the programme since 2018. In collaboration with the partners of the multidisciplinary team, the business will provide programme management office (PMO) services, overseeing all elements of procurement, design, engineering, safety, information management and sustainability.

Gary Easton, Infrastructure Lead, Europe, Turner & Townsend said, “Major programmes like MetroLink offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way people travel across the capital, connecting communities both inside and outside Dublin with an efficient, low carbon public transport service. The appointment of this team is a great step forward in delivering this essential infrastructure programme for the city and its people.

“Having supported the programme since 2018, we now look forward to working closely alongside our partners at WSP supported by O’Connor Sutton Cronin, Mace and PwC – throughout the delivery phase, and bringing to bear our combined expertise on landmark metro programmes worldwide. By closely engaging and collaborating as one team, we will be fully realising this project’s goals with as minimal disruption to the public and local business as possible.”

Aidan Foley, MetroLink Project Director, Transport Infrastructure Ireland added, “The successful delivery of MetroLink is essential if Dublin is to have a fully integrated public transport system.

“We believe the terms of engagement through the NEC4 professional services contract represents a real opportunity to work collaboratively and productively towards achieving our shared project goals. We are looking forward to working closely with our new colleagues to advance the project through the next stage of its development.”

Charlie Hodgson, Executive Managing Director for Transport & Infrastructure, WSP said, “By connecting communities, visitors and places together, Dublin Metrolink will generate unparalleled economic opportunities for people and businesses, while promoting more sustainable means of transport. Efficient public transportation is a key driver for economic growth and social mobility.”

Robert Costello, Capital Projects & Infrastructure Leader, PwC Ireland said, “The Client Partner team will be tasked with working closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to deliver on the vision of a sustainable public transport system and Ireland’s first metro. We are looking forward to working on Metrolink, by bringing our market leading procurement, project management, sustainability and cyber skills to the project to help deliver a state-of-the-art transport service to the people of Ireland.”

Frank Randles, Country Director for Ireland, Mace Consult said, “MetroLink represents a fantastic opportunity to prove that Ireland can deliver major infrastructure efficiently and in support of its people. From the creation of a high-functioning delivery partner team that leverages complementary skills from across our industry, to the transformative impact this scheme will have in the region, we’re excited to collaborate with our partners and draw on our project and programme delivery consultancy expertise to set a leading example for our industry.”