Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has formally awarded a 12-year Programme Delivery Partner contract worth up to €550 million to engineering consortium Jacobs AECOM to oversee the procurement, construction, and commissioning of Dublin's MetroLink rail project.

Following a competitive tender process, the joint venture between global engineering firms Jacobs and AECOM will integrate directly with the MetroLink project team. The delivery partner will be responsible for providing integrated programme management, scheduling, engineering oversight, governance, and risk management across all construction and integration phases.

The 19-kilometre megaproject is designed to be Ireland's first fully segregated, high-frequency metro system. Running predominantly underground, the line will connect Swords in North County Dublin to Charlemont on the south side of the city via Dublin Airport. Featuring 16 new stations, the service is expected to deliver a 25-minute journey time from North Dublin to the city centre and carry up to 53 million passengers annually once operational.

TII Chief Executive Lorcan O'Connor stated that the appointment marks a critical transition as MetroLink moves from planning into full-scale delivery preparation, adding that the multiyear structure is designed to deliver maximum transparency and value for public money. Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien welcomed the contract award, describing it as a key milestone in delivering one of the most significant public transport investments in the history of the State.

The announcement comes ahead of an expected Irish Government decision on whether to authorise TII to seek formal construction tenders for the rail line. The operational Railway Order for MetroLink took effect in January 2026, with TII estimating that cumulative expenditure on the project will reach nearly €750 million by the end of the year prior to the start of major construction.