First Major Design and Build Civils Contracts Announced for MetroLink

First Major Design and Build Civils Contracts Announced for MetroLink  

• MetroLink commences procurement with the release of contract notices for M401 and M402 contracts 

• Each contract is responsible for the heavy tunnelling, track alignment preparation, stations and structures such as bridges and tunnels.

3rd February 2026: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), on behalf of the MetroLink programme, has on the 3rd of February commenced the process of selecting prospective bidders to tender for the major civil infrastructure packages for the M401 and M402 contracts. 
 
These contracts represent a pivotal milestone for MetroLink, encompassing the delivery of the programme's heavy civil engineering works. Collectively, the packages include tunnelling, track alignment preparation, stations, and a wide range of structures such as bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, forming the core physical infrastructure of Ireland’s first metro system.  

• NTA Chief Executive Officer, Anne Shaw, added: “MetroLink is central to the National Transport Authority’s strategy to deliver a fully integrated, high-capacity public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area. By advancing these contracts, we are laying the foundations for a system that will significantly increase public transport capacity, improve connectivity to the airport and key destinations, and support Ireland’s climate and sustainability objectives over the coming decades.” 

• TII Chief Executive, Lorcan O’Connor, stated, “This announcement is an important milestone in the MetroLink journey.  It is the beginning of a process that will ultimately identify the organisations that will deliver the main civil engineering works associated with MetroLink. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between the state and private sectors. On behalf of TII, I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving this important milestone and continued success toward the delivery of the MetroLink programme.”

• MetroLink Programme Director, Dr. Seán Sweeney, welcomed the landmark milestone, saying, “The publication of the M401 and M402 contract notices marks a major milestone for the MetroLink programme and formally commences the procurement process to select prospective bidders for our major civil works. This is a significant step forward in delivering Ireland’s first metro system. Reaching this point is the result of sustained effort and collaboration, and I want to acknowledge the leadership and support of the Minister, the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, our many stakeholders, as well as the dedication and hard work of the wider MetroLink programme team. Their commitment and expertise have been instrumental in bringing the programme to this important stage.”  

Procurement Approach:

The procurement process begins with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage, which constitutes the initial screening phase of the competition. 

The PQQ stage is designed to assess a bidder’s capability to deliver the contract before they are invited to submit a full tender. 
 
Following the completion of the PQQ process, a shortlist of pre-qualified applicants will be invited to submit detailed tenders for the M401 and M402 contracts.

The maximum combined contract value stated in the Contract Notice is €7.9 billion (excl. VAT), which includes construction works and services, inflation and risk costs for both M401 and M402 contracts. The selected Contractors will be asked to prepare bids and TII expects the tenders to be considerably less than the Contract Notice values.
 
Contracts have gone live on the eTenders website and can be found on the OJEU website up to 24/48 hours later.  

Sustainability and Carbon Performance:

In line with the Government’s Climate Action legislation and MetroLink’s sustainability and carbon management commitments, the M400 contracts will incorporate a structured framework to ensure alignment with defined carbon targets. 

This approach aims to encourage innovation in low-carbon construction methods, materials, and logistics, and will form part of the overall contract performance assessment.
 

Contract Scope:
 
1. M401 - Southern Section (Charlemont to Northwood):

• Bored railway tunnels, tunnel portals, evacuation/intervention shafts and ventilation shafts
• Below ground station excavations at Charlemont, St Stephen’s Green, Tara Station, O’Connell, Mater, Glasnevin, Griffith Park, Collins Avenue, Ballymun, Northwood up to 35m deep, including shell and core structure
• Required ancillary civil and accommodation works 

Contract Notice Value (excl. VAT): €4.565Billion 

2. M402 - Northern Section M402 (Northwood to Estuary) 

• M50 viaduct, surface route (retained cut, cut and cover) and at-grade sections (i.e. railway sections built at ground level and in shallow excavations, including some covered sections) 
• Broadmeadow River Viaduct
• Estuary Station Park and Ride Facility (site preparation)
• Preparation of the Dardistown Depot site and access road
• Bored tunnels and portals, evacuation/intervention shafts
• Stations, excavations and associated logistics, including Dardistown, Fosterstown, Swords Central, Seatown, and Estuary

Contract Notice Value (excl. VAT): €3.347Billion  

The procurement process for the M400 contracts will be managed by TII, acting as the Contracting Authority, who will be the sole point of contact for applicants, and will be conducted under EU regulations. 

The tender competition will consist of two lots: Lot 1: M401 contract and Lot 2: M402 contract. It will also comprise two stages:  

1. The prequalification stage, which assesses and shortlists applicants on criteria including financial stability, technical capability and relevant experience.
2. The tender stage, which may involve multiple stages and begins with TII issuing tender documents to each shortlisted applicant.

The tenders to be submitted in the second stage will be evaluated on Compliance, Quality and Cost criteria, following which the successful contractors will be selected.

Applicants may apply for one or both lots but can only be awarded one contract. Three applicants will be shortlisted for each lot if sufficient parties are interested. TII reserves the right to shortlist the fourth highest-ranked applicant for one or both contracts.  

The prequalification stage for the M400 contracts will run concurrently. The subsequent tender stage for each contract will be staggered, with the M401 contract tender stage commencing first, followed by the M402 contract tender stage a number of months later. 
 
For further information regarding this press release, please contact Niall McHugh, MetroLink Strategic Communications Lead at  niall.mchugh@tii.ie or 086 832 2413.

Ends 

Notes to Editor: 

PIN: Link to follow

MetroLink will deliver:

• World-class infrastructure for Ireland – will carry up to 53 million passengers per year
• High frequency; capability to run every 90 seconds at peak time
• Will carry 20,000 passengers per hour per direction
• Airport to the City Centre in 20 minutes
• 3,000 Park & Ride spaces
• Easy interchange to Luas, Bus and Rail services
• Less traffic on the roads
• Environmentally friendly public transport 

Scheme information:

MetroLink will comprise a high-capacity, high-frequency, modern and efficient metro railway, with 16 new stations running from Swords to Charlemont. 

The alignment will link Dublin Airport, Irish Rail, DART, Dublin Bus and Luas services and create a fully integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area.

As well as linking major transport hubs, MetroLink will connect key destinations such as Ballymun, the Mater Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin City University (DCU), and Trinity College Dublin. 

Much of the 18.8km route will run underground, an exciting and transformative innovation for Irish public transport.

Gallery: The most recent artist impressions for MetroLink can be found here: Images - MetroLinkWeb 

MetroLink Route Map: Interactive map is available at the Interactive Map

Published on 3rd February 2026