Purcell Construction has been appointed as main contractor for the construction of the National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station, Dublin.

The project will comprise of a new 5 storey building with partial basement, situated within the railway yard of Heuston Station.

The facility will become the national signalling control centre for Irish Rail.

Works are due to commence in the coming weeks and Purcell say they are looking forward to constructing this key infrastructural project as part of Project Ireland 2040.

Purcell Construction is a leading Irish building contractor. Operating from its offices in Galway & Dublin.

Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade said: “It is a great day for Iarnród Éireann to see the commencement of construction of our new NTCC, which will greatly enhance our signalling and communications abilities, improve punctuality for customers, and transform train management.

“It will also enable growth of our network in the futureproof the signalling of the railway for generations to come.”

The building will be split over five floors and at 5,500 sqm, in addition to the National Train Control Centre the building will also host the metropolitan unit of An Garda Síochána and the traffic management section of Dublin City Council.

It will also manage a large proportion of the State’s emergency 999/112 calls, and will host the Dublin City Council unit responsible for monitoring events such as St Patrick’s Day or State visits.

A Garda Síochána spokesperson said: “The new NTCC building will also house members of An Garda Síochána in a purpose built Control Centre. The Control Centre will manage a large proportion of the State’s emergency 999/112 calls. The building will also cater for a unit within Dublin City Council who are responsible for monitoring specific small or large events in Dublin, such as St. Patrick’s Day, a State visit, etc. The new location will provide modern support office space, meeting space and other ancillary facilities for both parties while facilitating designated spaces to allow ease of collaborative working between An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council, when required.“

Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority said: “I very much welcome that work on the NTCC is getting under way. This piece of investment is a key component in the modernisation of our rail network and is indicative of the commitment to improving services for customers well into the future.”