Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has appointed a joint venture (JV) comprising Jacobs and AECOM as programme delivery partner for MetroLink, a planned high-capacity metro rail system that will connect Swords, Dublin Airport, and the city centre.
Under the contract, the JV will assist TII by implementing an integrated delivery approach aimed at strengthening governance, coordinating activities across various contracts, and ensuring transparency during the project’s lifecycle.
The team will also focus on risk management, improving project certainty, and facilitating the effective delivery of this major infrastructure scheme.
Their responsibilities include supporting procurement processes and managing the complex delivery model needed for the predominantly underground metro system, which will feature 16 new stations and interchanges with existing Irish Rail, Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail, Luas light rail, and BusConnects services.
The MetroLink project is anticipated to be Ireland’s first fully segregated metro railway, aimed at alleviating congestion, enhancing connectivity, and supporting the Dublin region's expected population and economic growth.
Jacobs Europe executive vice-president and general manager 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.
“Jacobs brings experience from some of the world's largest and most complex transportation programmes, where successfully integrating multiple contracts, disciplines and stakeholders is critical.
"We will bring that experience to MetroLink, working alongside Transport Infrastructure to manage complexity and risk, coordinate interfaces across the programme and create lasting benefits for passengers, communities and the Irish economy.”
The JV brings together Jacobs and AECOM’s expertise from global rail and metro programmes such as London’s Elizabeth line, Canada’s Metrolinx, and Australia’s Cross River Rail, in addition to US and local Irish infrastructure projects.
Both firms maintain an established presence in Ireland, with Jacobs contributing to initiatives including BusConnects and Luas Cork, while AECOM is involved in projects such as the Dublin Airport Capital Investment Plan and the Adare Bypass in Limerick.
AECOM Europe and India chief executive Richard Whitehead said: "With our deep programme management expertise, extensive global metro experience and strong local presence, we will work alongside Transport Infrastructure Ireland and its partners as one integrated team, bringing together the capabilities and insight needed to navigate complexity, align delivery across the programme and help realise MetroLink’s ambitions for Dublin and the wider region.”
