The Luas journey time between Sandyford and St Stephen's Green in Dublin is expected to be 22 minutes, according to CIE, which has just published the Environmental Impact Statement into the line.
The proposed Luas will have 13 trams of 30 metres in length on the line with a tram depot to be built at Sandyford Industrial Estate.
The depot is required because the line will not be integrated with the rest of the city-wide Luas system until the underground connection is opened in the city centre.
The line, which is to be built over three years starting in the autumn of 2000, is to use the old Harcourt Street to Bray railway line, thus minimising its impact both during construction and operation.
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke, is expected to call a public inquiry into the line in the first half of 1999.