February 2009

The following developments took place in February 2009:

LUAS

Luas Line A1 – Citywest Extension

On 9 February 2009, An Taoiseach announced the signing of contracts for the civil and track works between Citywest Luas Ltd and BAM Contractors (formerly Ascon Contractors). Citywest Luas Ltd is the consortium of local private developers who are responsible for the delivery of a substantial part of the works for this extension as well as providing land and making a capital contribution to the project. The consortium comprises Davy Hickey Properties, Harcourt Development Limited and HSS (Mansfield Group). The civil and track works are expected to commence shortly.


METRO

Metro North

On 27 February 2009, the four bidding consortia submitted their first round tenders for the PPP contract for Metro North to the RPA. These will now be examined by the RPA which plans to hold a second stage of tendering, subject to the grant of a Railway Order, later in the year.


HEAVY RAIL

The first set of new InterCity railcars to be introduced on the Dublin/Rosslare line came into service on Thursday 19 February. The new railcars now operate on the Gorey to Dublin service in the morning peak and on the Dublin to Gorey service in the evening peak. Further InterCity railcars will be introduced on other services on the Rosslare line as and when they are commissioned.