To meet projected passenger growth on Luas, Dublin’s light rail network, Ireland’s Railway Procurement Agency is now introducing longer vehicles and increasing depot capacity. This marks another task for us – the latest chapter in our long-running involvement on this strategic system
We have been involved in the design of Dublin’s Light Rail Transit, now called LUAS, since the early 1990s.

Initially we carried out specific studies into the utility diversion and traffic implications of various potential routes in the city centre. Subsequently we acted as subconsultants to Semaly, a leading French LRT consultant, in developing preliminary and detailed designs for lines from Tallaght and Sandyford to the city centre (LUAS lines A and B), a total of 23 route kilometres. Our responsibilities included alignment, track, power supply, overhead lines, signalling, carriageway and junction redesign and traffic analysis.

After award of contract, we worked with the Railway Procurement Agency on all the aspects of contract administration, including design reviews, approvals, third party approvals, testing and commissioning of the entire system prior to the commencement of passenger services. Civil/structural works included the specimen design for Connolly Station LUAS terminal and all other LUAS stops.

We also designed all of the structures on Line A from Tallaght to the city centre including new bridge crossings of the M50 at Red Cow, the Grand Canal at Suir Road, an underpass at Rialto Bridge and the reconstruction of Sean Heuston Bridge over the Liffey. In addition we designed the mechanical and electrical building services for the two depots at Red Cow and Sandyford.

We continue to provide technical support to the LRT project in the following areas:

• Track alignment and design
• Infrastructure design
• Specialist structural designs, reviews and assessments
• LRT and road signalling integration
• Infrastructure maintenance
• Stray current protection
• Mechanical and electrical design
• OCS design review

Red Cow light rail depot capacity enhancement project

In addition we are providing the Railway Procurement Agency with engineering design services in relation to the Red Cow light rail depot capacity enhancement project, including civil and structural engineering, building services and traction power.

In order to facilitate projected Red Line passenger/capacity requirements, the Railway Procurement Agency is converting the existing Red Line light rail vehicles from 30m to 41m in length. As a consequence, the existing maintenance depot at Red Cow is being expanded so it can accommodate the longer vehicles.

Expansion works include constructing:

• an 880m2 extension to the existing maintenance depot, together with the required operating equipment and building services
• an extension to existing stabling facilities together with associated traction power and control systems