Construction BUSINESS

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has launched key tenders to support the upgrade and decarbonisation of Ireland’s rail network writes David Keniry.

Through a single-party framework, Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) requires the services of a multi-disciplinary consultant to support the delivery of the Galway Rail Line project, where the Dublin to Galway Intercity line diverges from the Dublin to Cork Intercity line at Portarlington through to the terminus at Galway Ceannt Station.

The requirements for this next stage of the Galway Line project from Portarlington to Galway involves the delivery of Phases 1-7 of the Project Management Guidelines of key elements of the Galway Line including:

• Further optioneering on appropriate capacity enhancement schemes, to include possible double tracking, passing loops etc.
• Traction (consideration of traction solutions, possibly Overhead Line Electrification (OHLE) or Static Charging of a battery electric fleet, or alternatively other options including Hydrogen and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)).
• Requirement for stabling of fleet.
• Upgrades to existing Stations at locations along the line.
• All associated Permanent Way, Civil Engineering & Structural Works.

The scope of services to be provided under this contract will comprise all elements of planning, design and construction, including development of a procurement strategy for the delivery of the programme. It is anticipated that the services for Phases 1-5 will be required for an initial period of 48 months with Phases 6 & 7 ‘Construction and Closeout’ to follow thereafter.

The OJEU notice is available here: https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/393220-2024.

Meanwhile, Irish Rail is seeking tenders by 15 August for a partner to support the delivery of Signalling. Electrification and Telecommunications projects. Signalling Electrical & Telecoms (SET) Implementation Partner.

It is envisaged that once established, the initial work packages to be awarded under the framework agreement will focus on utilising design, installation and testing resources from the Contractor, to work on various projects led by the Signalling Electrical & Telecoms (SET) Department.

Under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, IÉ will deliver a number of significant infrastructure projects over the next ten years including but not limited to:

• Train protection system (TPS) roll-out nationwide.
• Signalling upgrades and renewals, in terms of both re-signalling works with legacy
• Interlockings and roll out of the new Computer Based Interlocking System.
• Upgrades, renewals, and extensions to electrified network.
• Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSMR) roll-out nationwide.
• Station services

That OJEU notice is available here: https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/395452-2024.

To register for the European Infrastructure Conference 2024 in Dublin on November 14^th, go to: https://www.europeaninfrastructureconference.com/.