Double tracking Glounthaune to Midleton mostly finished

Double Tracking Glounthaune to Midleton Largely Complete

Iarnród Éireann has announced that the main construction work on the €90 million second track between Glounthaune and Midleton is now largely complete. This transformative project, which began in September 2024 with preparatory works including laying a new track bed, aims to significantly enhance rail capacity in Cork.

The extensive engineering effort involved widening the Owennacurra River Bridge, several culverts, level crossings, cuttings, and embankments to accommodate the new line. All this work was carried out alongside a live operational railway throughout the duration of the project. In total, 7.5km of new track has been installed alongside the repositioning of the existing single line.

While the physical track laying is nearly done, overall project completion is scheduled for 2027, coinciding with the full re-signalling of the Cork rail network. This initiative forms part of Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which also includes a new €23 million platform at Kent Station.

Once fully operational, this phase will deliver the necessary network capacity to allow for a significant increase in train service frequency on each of Cork's three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton, and Mallow. Phase 2 of the programme is set to provide eight new stations, a new depot, and network electrification, ultimately supporting up to a 10-minute rail service frequency.

Designated as critical infrastructure, Iarnród Éireann can now accelerate delivery of this transformative package, bringing a high-capacity, high-frequency, and more sustainable rail network more quickly to the Cork region.