An AECOM and Jacobs joint venture has been appointed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as programme delivery partner for the MetroLink project.

The rail scheme will  connect North County Dublin, Dublin Airport and the city centre, supporting future growth, reducing congestion and enhancing mobility across Ireland's capital.

As programme delivery partner (PDP), the AECOM and Jacobs joint venture will manage, oversee, and coordinate the complex construction, integration and commissioning phases of Ireland’s first metro system – one of Ireland’s biggest infrastructure projects.

TII says the PDP is crucial in ensuring all aspects of the MetroLink project are “delivered within a defined budget, required timeframe and to the highest standards of safety and quality”.

The 19km predominantly underground high-capacity, high-frequency system will include 16 new stations connecting Swords in North County Dublin with Dublin Airport and the city centre, while integrating with Irish Rail, Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter rail, Luas light rail and BusConnects services to support a more connected and sustainable transportation network.

It will provide a 25-minute journey time from North Dublin to the city centre. Once completed, MetroLink will carry up to 53 million passengers annually.

AECOM chief executive in Europe and India Richard Whitehead said: “MetroLink will play a significant role in supporting Ireland’s growth, transforming connectivity, driving economic development and expanding access to opportunities for communities across Dublin and the wider region.”

Jacobs executive vice president and general manager Europe, Richard Sanderson, said: “MetroLink represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how people move throughout Dublin and support the region's future growth.”

The joint venture will be supported by affiliates Ramboll and Nicholas O'Dwyer.

AECOM and Jacobs combine experience from some of the world's most significant metro and rail programmes, including London's Elizabeth line, Metrolinx in Toronto, Austin Transit Partnership, California High-Speed Rail and the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel replacement program in the U.S. and Cross River Rail in Brisbane.

Michael Flynn, interim programme director for MetroLink, added: “Our team is fully mobilised, and the momentum behind MetroLink is stronger than ever. The programme delivery partner will provide the essential on-the-ground project management, scheduling, and engineering oversight needed to turn our operative Railway Order and active procurements into physical reality. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Jacobs AECOM to deliver this world-class transit system for the public.”