A €1bn investment programme has been announced for Ireland’s rail infrastructure over the next five years.
The financing will be provided by an Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC) between 2020 and 2024.
The funding, a 40% increase on Ireland’s last investment programme between 2014 and 2018, will go on improving service reliability, safety and journey times through signalling, track relaying and other projects.
The Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) network includes Dublin’s main line, suburban and commuter passenger routes and freight-only routes.
Shane Ross, Ireland’s minister for transport, tourism and sport, said: "This level of investment means that the rail network is now being funded at the ‘steady state’ level required to ensure optimal maintenance, renewal and improvement of our rail infrastructure."
Image: A train line in Galway (Lisandrotrarbach/Dreamstime)
