Major Wicklow Train Station Upgrade Moves Ahead as DART Plans Progress

Major upgrade planned for Wicklow Train Station with work on new bridge to begin this year

A major redevelopment of Wicklow Railway Station has moved a step closer, with construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge expected to begin before the end of the year.

The project will transform the station into a more modern transport hub and is designed to support the planned extension of DART+ Coastal South services to Wicklow.

Wicklow County Council has confirmed that the long-planned “active travel” bridge has now cleared its final planning stage. The structure will be around 5.5 metres wide and will span the Dublin–Rosslare railway line, creating a direct link between the Port Access Road and the station platforms.

The aim is to allow pedestrians and cyclists to reach the station without having to travel through the busy town centre.

Funding for the next stage of the project has also been secured, with the National Transport Authority allocating €500,000 in 2026 to help move the development into the construction phase.

Designed for future DART services

The station upgrades are being planned alongside the proposed extension of Dublin Area Rapid Transit services south to Wicklow.

Iarnród Éireann has previously indicated that DART services could reach Wicklow by 2029 if the wider rail project receives planning approval.

Plans for the station include:

• An underground bike storage area

• A dedicated cycle ramp linking to the bridge

• A new northern car park with 27 spaces, including electric vehicle charging bays

• Parking for three buses to improve connections with other public transport

Historic features to be retained

The redevelopment will also preserve key historic elements at the station. The existing 19th-century signal cabin and the current footbridge will remain in place as both form part of the station’s protected structures.

The bridge itself is being progressed by Wicklow County Council, while rail infrastructure for the DART expansion is being developed by Iarnród Éireann.

Timeline for the wider project

Construction on the bridge, car park and new set-down areas is expected to run at the same time, with the overall station upgrade targeted for completion by late 2028.

Meanwhile, the first of Ireland’s new fleet of battery-electric commuter trains has already arrived in the country. The new trains, built by Alstom, are currently undergoing safety testing and are expected to enter passenger service from 2027.

The formal planning application for the full DART extension to Wicklow has not yet been submitted. Iarnród Éireann is expected to lodge the Railway Order with An Coimisiún Pleanála in late 2026, after which a public consultation process will take place.

Further updates on the overall project are expected to be presented to councillors later this year.