Details of two optional routes for Dublin's new Metro West line were unveiled by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen yesterday.
It is expected that the new orbital line, stretching from Tallaght to the Metro North line south of Dublin airport, but avoiding the city centre, will be overground. Construction is due to start in 2009, with a series of public consultation meetings commencing next January. It is expected to be completed by 2014.
It is hoped that a preferred route will be chosen by early next year, followed by further planning and selection of a public-private partnership (PPP) partner.
The service will accommodate an estimated 20 million passengers per year, while the length of the track could stretch to 28 kms, according to the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA).
As it is a PPP project, Mr Cullen yesterday declined to disclose how much it is expected to cost. But while land acquisition costs are a significant factor, he said it was necessary to take into account the overall project costs.
He pointed to the National Roads Authority's recent claim that the cost of building motorways here is approximately half the cost of building motorways in the UK.
"I think that (the 2014 timeline for completion) is quite satisfactory. If it can be done in stages or opened in stages, that will be done," Mr Cullen said. "The problem we have with a lot of the public transport systems that exist is that they all come into the city centre."
Frank Allen, chief executive of the RPA, said it did not have a preferred route. He also expected there would be little difference in the cost of acquiring land on either of the proposed routes.
Under the plans, any final route will link up with the recently announced Metro North line, either by sharing its track to the airport or by passengers transferring to the new northern line.
The first optional route would start on the Belgard Road in Tallaght, and would serve Tallaght IT, The Square shopping centre,Tallaght village, Clondalkin town centre, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown town centre.
The second option commences at the Luas Red Line's Tallaght stop, continuing to Cookstown Road. It proceeds to Kingswood, crossing the Naas road to Grange castle, Clondalkin, the Blanchardstown town centre and Blanchardstown IT.
However, the final route may be a variation or combination of the two route options, other options or sub-options.