The bill for Dublin's Metrolink has already reached €300m despite construction not yet starting.
The Public Accounts Committee said today that they have been left "frustrated" at the lack of progress and has asked the National Transport Authority to provide reports on the project's “ineffective expenditure”.
The project was first proposed back in 2000 with planning permission for the Metro North line granted in 2011. However, the Metro North line project was later suspended due to the economic downturn and a new Metro North project was announced by the NTA in September 2015, with services due to commence in 2026.
Metrolink succeeded that project with services currently being projected to commence in 2034, meaning the underground tram system will be delivered 34 years after the project was first proposed.
Read more: Dublin Metrolink bill already at €300m despite no construction
Construction of Metrolink has been estimated to cost €9.5 billion, 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.
The Metrolink line is planned to begin at Swords and conclude at Charlemont in south Dublin City Centre. The route will serve multiple residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as Dublin Airport and the City Centre.
Construction of the project is planned to begin in late 2025 if the planning process goes smoothly.
What are your thoughts on the cost and delivery of Metrolink so far? Would you make any changes to the current plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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