DfI assessing phasing of £79.9m plus expenditure for Phase 3 of Derry-Coleraine railway upgrade
The Department of Infrastructure has said it is assessing the phasing of expenditure for Phase 3 of the Derry to Coleraine rail upgrade after significant funding allocations from Stormont and the Irish Government.
The project will involve the renewal of ballast and the replacement of 55,000 sleepers over 20 miles of track between Castlerock and Eglinton.
Structural and drainage works are proposed with line speed expected to be increased to up to 90 miles per hour.
Three and a half years ago senior DfI officials indicated the railway track will have to close between Derry and Coleraine for up to nine months to allow for the works.
A significant amount of material has now been gathered at the Translink rail halt at Bellarena in advance of the project getting underway.
The ‘Journal’ asked DfI for an update on the final phase of the Derry to Coleraine rail upgrade.
A DfI spokesperson said: “Minister Kimmins ring-fenced £5.9m for the Coleraine to Derry Phase 3 renewal project in 25/26 and had allocated further funding for this project to progress. The Irish Government has recently announced an allocation of £74m to the project through the Shared Island Fund. This funding is additional to DfI budget. The phasing of the expenditure is currently being assessed.”
The joint funding of over £79.9m falls somewhat short of the £97.7m projected outlay, which was quoted in 2022.
Phase 3 is expected to involve physical intervention work on six miles of track and ballast cleaning on 14 miles of track.