Irish Rail has partnered with Jacobs to modernize its network by expanding track capacity, increasing speeds, and reducing emissions, creating faster, more frequent, and sustainable rail services across key routes. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Jacobs will provide multi-disciplinary consulting for Iarnród Éireann on an 87-mile (140km) corridor from Galway to Portarlington, offering direct access to Dublin. This initiative supports the All Island Strategic Rail Review and aims to transform passenger experience.

Irish Rail Selects Jacobs for Major Railway Upgrade
The scope of work will focus on enhancing track capacity, promoting decarbonisation, increasing speeds and providing more frequent services. Credit: Jacobs via iStock.

The four-year agreement, extendable to eight years, includes feasibility studies and option selection for major upgrades. Jacobs Executive Vice President Keith Lawson stressed the project’s complexity and highlighted the need for integrated planning and urban development.

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Irish Rail Project Drives Sustainability Goals

The plan aligns with Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018–2027, which seek compact growth and climate neutrality. Irish Rail CEO Jim Meade noted the improvements will reduce car dependency and cut emissions, supporting national climate targets.

Jacobs’ role will also involve stakeholder engagement and environmental compliance, ensuring the railway expansion fosters sustainable mobility and benefits communities and businesses alike.

Irish Rail Partners with Jacobs for Future Growth

Jacobs already supports key Irish infrastructure programs, including East Coast Railway Protection and BusConnects Dublin and Cork. The firm also works internationally on major projects, such as the UK’s Transpennine Route Upgrade with Network Rail.

By combining technical expertise with sustainability-focused planning, Irish Rail and Jacobs aim to deliver faster journeys, higher service frequency, and better connectivity, paving the way for a modern, climate-resilient transportation network.

Source: www.railway-technology.com

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