Transport Infrastructure Ireland has acquired a portion of the Hammerson property on O'Connell Street to facilitate the development of the MetroLink line [1, 2].

The purchase removes a significant land-acquisition hurdle for the rapid-transit project, which is critical for reducing traffic congestion in Dublin's city center [3, 4].

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the purchase of the site is approximately two acres in size [1, 4]. The acquired section extends around 200 meters along O'Connell Street [4]. The land was bought from the UK-based property group Hammerson to ensure the state has the necessary footprint for the transit route [2, 3].

MetroLink has faced various delays in its planning and development phases. The acquisition of this landmark site is intended to move the project toward the construction phase by securing the required land for the route [3, 4].

Chambers provided a timeline for the project's realization during a news appearance. He said, "We expect building to start in the next two years" [1].

Despite the start date, the scale of the infrastructure project means the city will experience long-term construction activity. Chambers said, "MetroLink will likely take 10 years to build" [1].

The project remains a central pillar of Dublin's long-term transport strategy, aiming to connect the airport to the city center through a high-capacity rail system [2, 4].

“"We expect building to start in the next two years."”

The acquisition of the Hammerson site signals a transition from the planning and land-assembly phase to active preparation for construction. By securing a strategic footprint on O'Connell Street, the Irish government is mitigating one of the primary risks of urban infrastructure projects: land disputes and acquisition delays. However, the 10-year construction timeline suggests that Dublin will face prolonged disruption in its primary thoroughfare, balancing long-term transit gains against a decade of urban construction.