The project will see a 5.5-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle bridge span the Dublin-Rosslare line. The bridge is designed to connect the Port Access Road in Wicklow town directly to the station platforms, effectively bypassing town centre congestion.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has bolstered the project with a €500,000 allocation for 2026 to move into the final construction phase.
This infrastructure is specifically designed to accommodate the arrival of the Dart, which Irish Rail has now slated for a 2029 commencement.
The design includes an underground bike parking facility and a dedicated cycle ramp to encourage active travel.
A northern car park will provide 27 parking spaces (including EV bays) and three bus parking spaces to facilitate multi-modal travel.
The project specifically retains the historic 19th-century signal cabin and existing footbridge, ensuring modern upgrades respect the station’s status as a protected structure.
The active travel bridge is being progressed by Wicklow County Council, while the rail side of the Dart project is managed by Irish Rail; both are designed to integrate seamlessly.
Construction on the new station car park and set-down area is expected to run concurrently with bridge works, with a target completion date of late 2028.
Wicklow Railway Station.
News in 90 seconds – March 10
While people in Wicklow wait for the 2029 Dart rollout, the first of the 185 new Alstom battery-electric carriages have already arrived in Ireland. Currently undergoing safety testing, these trains are expected to begin passenger service on the Northern Commuter line in 2027 before expanding south.
These carriages will replace the current diesel-powered commuter trains, providing a greener, quieter service.
For Wicklow commuters, these new five-carriage sets can be joined into 10-carriage trains capable of carrying 1,100 passengers—a major increase for peak-time travel.
They will allow for unassisted level boarding at Wicklow Train Station once platform enhancements are completed, which is a significant upgrade from the current older fleet.
The formal planning application (known as a Railway Order) for the broader Dart extension to Wicklow has not yet been lodged. Irish Rail is expected to lodge the application with An Coimisiún Pleanála in Q4 2026.
Following this there will be a statutory public consultation period where the public can make formal submissions directly to the planning board.
The NTA is expected to visit the Wicklow council chamber again at some stage this year to give further updates on the plan.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme