Jaw-dropping Dublin Metrolink cost revealed as bill hits new high amid fears controversial project not ready until 2034
THE proposed Metrolink could cost a staggering €21.5BILLION and might not be completed until 2034, it’s emerged.
Some €300m has already been spent on the project — which has yet to be started.
The Public Accounts Committee has called on the State agencies involved to ensure costs don’t exceed €9.5billion.
The PAC today published a report looking at the financial statements of the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
The Committee said it was monitoring the value-for-money achieved from an estimated €70 billion worth of transport projects in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP) and the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, including Metrolink.
But PAC said: “The most likely cost for the construction of the Metrolink system was estimated at €9.5 billion by the Department in April 2023, with the most credible capital cost ranging from €7.16 billion to €12.25 billion, although some estimates for the project allow for a cost as high as €21.5 billion.
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“The Committee is concerned at the range of estimates and expresses its wish that the cost of the project does not exceed €9.5 billion, particularly in light of other public infrastructure projects such as the National Children’s Hospital, which is projected to be completed significantly over-budget.”
The report recommends that expenditure is carefully examined on a range of other projects to keep the Metrolink within budget.
PAC Chair Brian Stanley said: “The need for a Metro system for Dublin was first proposed in the Platform for Change strategy published in 2000 and was due to be in operation by 2010.
“Planning permission for the Metro North line was granted in 2011 but was later suspended by the then Government due to the economic downturn.
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“A new Metro North project was announced by the NTA in September 2015, with services due to commence in 2026. Metrolink succeeded that project and according to correspondence from the Department in April 2023, Metrolink services are currently projected to commence in 2034.
“The Committee is frustrated at how long it has taken from the initial proposal for a metro system in Dublin, to the most recent date for completion.
“According to that timeline, Metrolink will be delivered 23 years after planning permission was granted to the original Metro North project and 34 years after it was first proposed in Platform for Change.”
It was also noted that approximately €300 million has been spent up to the end of March 2023 on Metrolink, and the abandoned Metro North and the Metro West projects.
'IMPERATIVE IT'S COMPLETED ON TIME'
Despite this significant investment, physical construction has yet to begin on a metro system for the Greater Dublin Area.
Deputy Stanley added: “It is imperative for the final cost, amongst other reasons, that Metrolink is completed on time, as it has been estimated that each year of delay would add additional costs of between €100 million and €300 million, in addition to delaying the economic and social benefits associated with Metrolink.”
PAC have asked the Department of Transport to provide it with a report on Metrolink by September 2023 which includes an updated expenditure breakdown on the project to date and the most up-to-date cost estimate, as well as an updated timeline with milestones missed or achieved.