Metro North is expected to be open for business in 2027

CONSTRUCTION work on Metro North will begin in 2021 and the light rail system will be open for business six years later, the Government has announced.

A €7.5bn transport capital programme over the next four years also includes €750m for a complete redesign of the capital's bus network, called Bus Connects, along with €110m for walking and cycling facilities in our main cities.

And the Department of Transport will also fund a €35m scheme to back new ideas to help decarbonise the transport sector, including pilot inititiaves for low-emissions technology which could include electric and biofuel buses.

Another €2.4bn is also allocated to upgrade national roads and remove bottlenecks.

Transport Minister Shane Ross announced the details at a press conference in Government Buildings today. It included a short video setting out planned capital projects.

An additional €4bn for transport has been provided following a review of the capital plan.

“This increase in capital investment over the next four years means a total of €4.2bn for roads, €2.7bn for public transport, €215m for sport and €168m for tourism,” Mr Ross said.

He said the measures would help address climate change, and tackle congestion.

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