Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the metro north project; when it is expected the final plan will be published; the level of funding allocated; when it is expected construction work will commence and be completed respectively; and when it is expected passenger services will begin. [3569/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsiblity for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Metro North.

Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government’s present Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and construction of Metro North with construction work commencing in 2021 and passenger services starting in 2027. The estimated cost of completing the Metro North project is €2.4 billion.

The NTA, in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be completed shortly, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken on the Emerging Preferred Route (EPR). Arising from this work a final route and station location will be established. It is also expected that Preliminary Design will commence early this year.

The 10 year capital plan which will published shortly will provide a funding commitment to complete this significant addition to public transport.