RPS, A Tetra Tech company attend contract signing for the delivery of first phase of major upgrades to Oranmore Station

We were pleased to attend the recent contract signing for the first phase of major upgrades to Oranmore Station in County Galway.

The first phase of works, which have been awarded to Mayo construction firm P&D Lydon, will see the construction of an underpass at the station, providing access to the new platform and second track planned at Oranmore.

On behalf of client Iarnród Éireann, RPS, A Tetra Tech company has guided the project through Phase 2: Concept, Feasibility & Option Selection, Phase 3: Preliminary Design, Phase 4: Planning & Statutory Services and Phase 5: Detailed Design.

The project will create a one-kilometre section of double track at Oranmore Station and a new second 185-metre-long platform. As the Athenry to Galway line is currently a single line with no opportunities for trains to pass each other in opposite directions, the works will allow a doubling of train services calling at the station to every 30 minutes in each direction.

The project, being delivered in partnership with Iarnród Éireann and Galway County Council, is co-funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), and by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority.

Located to the north of the current platform, the new platform will be accessed via an underpass and will also provide a dedicated cycle route to the north. Associated infrastructure such as passenger shelters, passenger help points, customer information signs, lighting, CCTV and seating will also be provided.

The benefits of the project include:

• As well as improving services to the existing community, the improvements will facilitate the planned development of the surrounding lands as set out in the Garraun Urban Framework Plan, allowing development to be both compact and sustainable, with high-quality public transport at its doorstep.
• The scheme will provide the opportunity for improved public transport frequency and accessibility serving both the station and surrounding area.
• The scheme supports a variety of national and local policies, including the Climate Action Plan, NIFTI, National Development Plan, Galway County Development Plan, and the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
• Modal switch to rail facilitated by the scheme will help to improve the environment through reductions in noise and emissions, and improvements in local air quality.

Advanced enabling works and construction of the underpass will take place in Autumn 2025. Construction of the main station works will start early in 2026 and the project is expected to be completed in Summer 2027.

Speaking at the station, Minister Seán Canney said: “I am delighted to see the work at Oranmore Station progressing…These station works will help provide people with a more frequent and efficient rail service…I look forward to continuing to advance these projects and to progress the vision set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the years ahead.”

Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade said: “This will be a game changer for commuters from Oranmore. It is a busy station and by upgrading the infrastructure, we will be able to provide more services and more capacity, making commuting by train an even more attractive option...”