IARNRÓD Éireann has started work on identifying a site for a new train station at Moyross and on increasing capacity for services between Colbert Station and Limerick Junction.
Following the confirmation by the Department of Transport last month that Moyross Station will be progressed under the Pathfinder Programme, Iarnród Eireann has confirmed that Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been appointed as multi-disciplinary consultants for both schemes.
The projects are funded by the National Transport Authority, as part of Project Ireland 2040, and will form part of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS).
The immediate objective of the Moyross Station project is to identify a preferred location and option for the building which will be the nearest station to Limerick City on the Limerick to Galway line.
It will be designed to support compact growth and provide a connection to Thomond Park and the Gaelic Grounds as well as provide a sustainable transport option for the existing and projected increased population in Limerick.
The area under examination is a 2km stretch of railway, starting at the western bank of the River Shannon, extending 2km to the edge of Moyross.
Increasing capacity on the 35 kilometre stretch of track between Limerick to Limerick Junction line will focus on the existing single-track sections which make up 80 per cent of the route and restrict capacity for service growth along with increasing waiting time on the line.
It is anticipated that double tracking of the entire line could be required, and this will be assessed, along with a range of alternative options to increase capacity and meet the objectives.
The initial phases of both projects are scheduled for completion in the first half of 2023.
National Transport Authority (NTA) chief executive, Anne Graham said the proposed enhanced rail passenger services will provide more opportunity for local communities to travel sustainably in the Limerick region.
Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade said it was a sign of the firm commitment of Government, the NTA and Iarnród Éireann to the delivery of these projects that consultants are ready to hit the ground running to progress both Moyross and Limerick to Limerick Junction capacity improvements.
