Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has announced the appointment of its programme delivery partner to spearhead the construction phase of MetroLink.
US engineering and professional services firms Jacob Aecom were selected as Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) following a competitive procurement process and will be tasked with managing the construction, integration and commissioning phases of the Dublin metro system.
The PDP will execute the building of the 19km high-capacity and high-frequency underground line stretching from Swords to Charlemont, serving 16 stations while providing a 25-minute journey time from the north Dublin suburb to the city centre.
Once completed, MetroLink will carry up to 53 million passengers each year, acting as a crucial integral component of Dublin’s transport network by offering interchanges with Irish Rail, DART, Luas, and Bus.
“This Government is committed to transforming Ireland’s public transport network through sustained investment in high-quality, sustainable infrastructure,” said Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien who underline the historical significance of today’s announcement.
“The Programme Delivery Partner will be an essential component in providing construction and engineering oversight, helping to ensure that MetroLink is delivered efficiently, safely and in line with international best practice,” he added.
National Transport Authority (NTA) CEO, Anne Shaw, said the appointment represents an important milestone in the construction of the long-awaited transport link in the capital.
“By bringing together world-class expertise and experience, the Programme Delivery Partner will play a critical role in supporting the effective planning, design, and delivery of a modern, high-capacity public transport system that will serve our communities for generations to come.”
Lorcan O’Connor, CEO of TII, described the selection of Jacobs AECOM is “critical transition” for the project.
“Managing a project of this magnitude requires world-class construction and engineering governance. By structuring this partnership over a multi-year framework, we are securing top-tier global expertise while ensuring maximum transparency and value for public money.”
Michael Flynn, interim programme director for MetroLink, added: “Our team is fully mobilised, and the momentum behind MetroLink is stronger than ever.
“The Programme Delivery Partner will provide the essential on-the-ground project management, scheduling, and engineering oversight needed to turn our operative Railway Order and active procurements into physical reality. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Jacobs Aecom to deliver this world-class transit system for the public.”
In July, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers named MetroLink among nine critical infrastructure schemes that will go “top of the queue” for construction, attributing dampened economic performance and housing issues to delays in development of such infrastructure.