AECOM, Jacobs JV Appointed Program Delivery Partner for Dublin’s MetroLink
An AECOM (NYSE: ACM) and Jacobs joint venture has been appointed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) as Program Delivery Partner for MetroLink, a transformative transportation program that will provide a high-capacity, sustainable rail connection between North County Dublin, Dublin Airport and the city center, supporting future growth, reducing congestion and enhancing mobility across Ireland’s capital.
As Program Delivery Partner, the AECOM and Jacobs joint venture will support the procurement and delivery of the metro system, bringing integrated program management, governance and risk management to one of Ireland’s largest infrastructure investments.
MetroLink is expected to become Ireland’s first fully segregated metro railway and a critical component of the country’s future transport network, supporting population growth, economic development and decarbonization goals while improving connectivity across the Greater Dublin Area. The predominantly underground high-capacity, high-frequency system will include 16 new stations connecting Swords in North County Dublin with Dublin Airport and the city center, while integrating with Irish Rail, Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter rail, Luas light rail and BusConnects services to support a more connected and sustainable transportation network.
AECOM Chief Executive in Europe and India Richard Whitehead said: “MetroLink will play a significant role in supporting Ireland’s growth, transforming connectivity, driving economic development and expanding access to opportunities for communities across Dublin and the wider region. Our selection for such an important megaproject reflects AECOM’s leadership in delivering complex, multi-billion-dollar programs around the world. With our deep program management expertise, extensive global metro experience and strong local presence, we will work alongside Transport Infrastructure Ireland and its partners as one integrated team, bringing together the capabilities and insight needed to navigate complexity, align delivery across the program and help realize MetroLink’s ambitions for Dublin and the wider region.”
Jacobs Executive Vice President and General Manager Europe Richard Sanderson said: “MetroLink represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how people move throughout Dublin and support the region’s future growth. Jacobs brings experience from some of the world’s largest and most complex transportation programs, where successfully integrating multiple contracts, disciplines and stakeholders is critical. We will bring that experience to MetroLink, working alongside Transport Infrastructure Ireland to manage complexity and risk, coordinate interfaces across the program and create lasting benefits for passengers, communities and the Irish economy.”
The team will support TII through an integrated delivery model designed to enhance governance, manage interfaces across multiple contracts and provide transparency throughout the program lifecycle. The team will help manage risk, improve certainty and support efficient delivery of this nationally significant infrastructure investment.
AECOM and Jacobs combine complementary capabilities and experience from some of the world’s most significant metro and rail programs, including London’s Elizabeth line, Metrolinx in Toronto, Austin Transit Partnership, California High-Speed Rail and the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel replacement program in the U.S. and Cross River Rail in Brisbane.
Both companies have a strong presence across the island of Ireland, bringing local delivery experience and established relationships across the infrastructure sector. AECOM is currently working on some of Ireland’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the Dublin Airport Capital Investment Plan, the National Transport Authority (NTA)’s BusConnects Cork program, the Adare Bypass and Ceannt Station in Galway. Jacobs supports major infrastructure investments including the NTA’s BusConnects Dublin and Cork programs, TII’s proposed Luas Cork light rail scheme, Irish Rail’s Galway to Portarlington rail network upgrade and East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects program, and Uisce Éireann’s strategic planning for sustainable and resilient water services.
