Preliminary work for Dublin's metro project has got under way with the issuing of tender documents for property services by the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA).
The RPA yesterday placed notices on the Government tendering website (e-tenders.gov.ie) seeking a property consultant to provide general valuation advice on the project.
The Government has been criticised for refusing to say how much the project, due to be completed by 2012, will cost. The consultant sought by the RPA will be required to inspect all properties which have to be acquired for the project and to assess the level of compensation payable.
The consultant will also be responsible for negotiating compensation with affected property-owners and will be required to represent the agency at arbitration hearings where agreement cannot be reached.
The 17km (10.6-mile) line, which is to run from St Stephen's Green to Lissenhall, north of Swords, via Dublin Airport, will have an interchange with the Iarnród Éireann services on the proposed Heuston to Connolly interconnector at a location below St Stephen's Green.
It will also have a station under the Liffey at O'Connell Bridge, with access to Abbey Street, where passengers can change to the Luas Red line. An interchange with suburban services on the Maynooth line is to be developed at Drumcondra railway station.
The route also serves the Mater hospital, Dublin City University, Ballymun, a park-and-ride site north of the M50 and Swords.
