Tunnel upgrade costs €75m. But rail chiefs plan to spend €1bn on new one

IARNRÓD ÉIREANN must explain why it plans to spend €1 billion on a tunnel under the river Liffey after it emerged using an existing route under the Phoenix Park would cost €925m less.

The Strategic Rail Review (SSR), published two weeks ago, said proposals to link Dublin’s Heuston and Connolly stations via a new rail line would require a new tunnel under the river Liffey.

However, an independent rail infrastructure lobby group, Platform 11, told an Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday that routing traffic through the existing Phoenix Park tunnel, through Phibsborough, Drumcondra and on to Connolly would cost just €75m.