Major 'step closer' to opening of €151.5m Limerick rail line

THE RAIL line between Limerick and Foynes is a “step closer” to completion, as 42km of new track has now been laid. 

During the past 27 months, Iarnród Éireann, along with project partners Sisk, have completed the removal of all original rail line infrastructure, followed by a complete renewal and relaying of 42km of track, sleepers and track bed.

Other key elements undertaken by this €151.5 million project to date include: the removal, restoration and reinstatement of the River Maigue and River Deel bridges, the construction of a new 46m span bridge to replace Robertstown Viaduct and the upgrading and reinstatement of 13 public road level crossings.

Additionally, the installation of duct and drainage routes, the renewal of user work level crossings and boundary fencing works as required along the length of the line have been implemented.

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Jim Meade, CEO of Iarnród Éireann said: “The reinstatement of the freight line between Limerick and Foynes is essential to building freight transportation connections and providing opportunity for businesses to switch from road freight to more sustainable rail freight in the future. 

“This milestone completion of the track laying on the line means we are a step closer to delivering a reliable, frequent and, most importantly, sustainable logistics option for many companies that currently use and will, in the future, use the Port of Foynes.”

The line is planned to come into operation in 2026. The project now enters its next phase with works to be undertaken over the next 18 months. 

This next phase of works will see specialist in house teams delivering the signalling and telecoms infrastructure to enable trains to operate, as well as the closure of user worked level crossings by structures, the refurbishment of Foynes Station building and the installation and testing of CCTV at the 13 public road level crossings.

Paul Brown, CEO of Sisk said: “Track laying completion marks another major project milestone for our Infrastructure team who have made making significant progress to date including the removal, restoration and reinstatement of the River Maigue and River Deel bridges. 

“We would like to thank all our team and track laying partner, Steconfer who have installed 66,000 sleepers and look forward to supporting Iarnród Éireann to deliver the final phase of the project.”

The 42km stretch of railway between Limerick city and Foynes Port originally opened in 1858 but has been inactive since 2001.