Dublin Awards €5.66 Million Active Travel Scheme on North Circular Road

Dublin City Council has awarded a €5.66 million contract to Actavo (Ireland) Limited for the construction of the North Circular Road (Dorset Street Lower to Amiens Street) Active Travel Scheme. The 1.1km project will deliver segregated cycle facilities, improved pedestrian infrastructure, junction upgrades, and carriageway resurfacing as part of Dublin's ambitious 314km Active Travel Network.

Introduction

Dublin City Council is committed to transforming the city's transport infrastructure to promote sustainable, active travel. The Active Travel Network aims to create a seamlessly connected 314km network of pedestrian pathways, segregated cycle provision, and other environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.

The North Circular Road (Dorset Street Lower to Amiens Street) Active Travel Scheme is a key project within this initiative. The 1.1km stretch of road will be reconfigured to include segregated cycle facilities, improved pedestrian footpaths, upgraded junctions, and carriageway resurfacing.

The contract, valued at €5.66 million, has been awarded to Actavo (Ireland) Limited, an Irish civil engineering and infrastructure company. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Why This Contract Matters

Active travel infrastructure is essential for reducing carbon emissions, improving public health, and creating more liveable cities. Dublin's Active Travel Network is a key component of the city's climate action and sustainable transport strategy.

This contract matters because it:

• Enhances active travel: Provides segregated cycle facilities and improved pedestrian infrastructure
• Reduces carbon emissions: Encourages walking, wheeling, and cycling as alternatives to motorised transport
• Improves safety: Upgrades three signal-controlled junctions to improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities
• Supports Dublin's climate goals: Part of the 314km Active Travel Network to mitigate transport emissions
• Significant investment: €5.66 million contract for a 1.1km stretch
• Quality-focused evaluation: Quality criteria weighted 70%, Cost 30%

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 7 August 2026 (OJ S 151/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: c47aa721-be06-4991-b7ec-6aaf0fa793ea-03
• Contract concluded: 23 July 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 18 months from start

Contract Overview

Dublin City Council conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The contract covers the construction of the North Circular Road Active Travel Scheme over approximately 1.1km.

Key features include:

• Single lot: Active travel scheme construction
• Duration: 18 months
• Value: €5,661,164.14
• Evaluation: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%)
• Quality criteria: Health and Safety (10%), Methodology & Understanding (25%), Traffic Management (15%), Works Programme (10%), Proposed Team & Resources (10%)
• Location: North Circular Road, Dublin (1.1km stretch from Dorset Street Lower to Amiens Street)

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Dublin City Council
Winning bidder	Actavo (Ireland) Limited
Contract subject	Roadworks – Active Travel Scheme (CPV 45233140)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total awarded value (ex-VAT)	€5,661,164.14
Contract duration	18 Months
Bids received	4
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Contract signed	23 July 2026
Evaluation criteria	Quality (70%) : Cost (30%)
Quality criteria	Health & Safety (10%), Methodology (25%), Traffic Management (15%), Works Programme (10%), Team & Resources (10%)
Subcontracting	No

Project Scope

The project covers the North Circular Road and Portland Row between Dorset Street Lower and Amiens Street, a length of approximately 1.1km. The scheme includes:

Works Included

• Carriageway reconfiguration: For inclusion of cycle lanes
• Segregated cycle facilities: Dedicated cycle lanes separated from traffic
• Improved pedestrian facilities: Footpath upgrades and junction improvements
• Junction upgrades: Three signal-controlled junctions (Belvedere Place, Fitzgibbon Street, Summerhill) upgraded to improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities
• Carriageway resurfacing
• Site clearance
• Pavement works
• Kerbs and footways
• Traffic islands
• Public lighting
• Traffic signs and road markings
• Drainage works
• Traffic signals and ducting
• Utilities works
• Landscaping and public realm works
• Bus shelters (foundations only)
• Bike stands
• Temporary traffic management

Geographic Scope

• Location: North Circular Road and Portland Row, Dublin
• Length: Approximately 1.1 km
• From: Dorset Street Lower
• To: Amiens Street (The Five Lamps junction)
• Key junctions: Belvedere Place, Fitzgibbon Street, Summerhill

About the Contracting Authority

Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin, Ireland. The council is responsible for the delivery of public services, including transport infrastructure, housing, planning, and environmental services. Dublin City Council's Active Travel Network initiative aims to create a seamlessly connected 314km network of pedestrian and cycle routes across the city, reducing carbon emissions and improving quality of life for residents.

About the Winning Company

Actavo (Ireland) Limited is a large Irish civil engineering and infrastructure company based in Dublin. Actavo provides a wide range of services including civil engineering, utilities, building, and facilities management. The company has extensive experience in delivering public sector infrastructure projects, including roadworks, active travel schemes, and utilities projects. Actavo's winning bid of €5,661,164.14 was the successful tender among four bids received.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Four bids were received, representing a competitive field for a specialist civil engineering project.
• Evaluation criteria: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%). The quality criteria were further divided into five sub-criteria:
  • Health and Safety (10%)
  • Methodology & Understanding of Works (25%)
  • Traffic Management Plan (15%)
  • Works Programme (10%)
  • Proposed Team and Resources (10%)
• Quality focus: The 70% quality weighting reflects the project's complexity and the importance of traffic management, health and safety, and methodology in an urban environment.
• Strategic importance: The project is part of Dublin's broader Active Travel Network, contributing to the city's climate action goals.
• No subcontracting: Actavo will deliver the project without subcontracting, indicating in-house capacity.
• Subject to funding: The notice notes that the project is subject to funding.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• No framework agreement was used—this is a direct works contract.
• Four bids were received.
• No subcontracting was declared by the winner.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• This is a correction notice (version 03) to a previous notice.
• The project is subject to funding.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish civil engineering market for active travel infrastructure has grown significantly in recent years, driven by government commitments to sustainable transport and climate action. Dublin City Council's Active Travel Network is a flagship initiative, with the goal of expanding the network from 40km to 314km.

Key trends in this market include:

• Sustainable transport: Growing investment in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
• Urban regeneration: Active travel schemes often include public realm improvements
• Quality focus: Public buyers increasingly prioritise quality and methodology over lowest price
• Local contractors: Irish contractors dominate the market for local authority projects

The 70% quality weighting in this procurement reflects a trend toward valuing technical expertise, traffic management, and health and safety over price alone.

Economic Significance

At €5.66 million, this contract represents a significant investment in Dublin's active travel infrastructure. The project will:

• Improve active travel: Provide safe, segregated cycling and walking facilities
• Reduce carbon emissions: Encourage modal shift away from motorised transport
• Support local employment: Jobs for construction workers and engineers
• Enhance quality of life: Improved public realm and connectivity for residents

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the contract now awarded, future opportunities include:

• Other sections: Other sections of the Active Travel Network may be tendered separately
• Maintenance contracts: Future maintenance of the completed infrastructure
• Related works: Additional active travel schemes in other parts of Dublin
• Other Irish cities: Similar schemes are being developed in Cork, Galway, and other Irish cities

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, future opportunities exist for civil engineering companies:

• Other sections: Other sections of the Active Travel Network may be tendered
• Other Irish cities: Similar schemes are being developed across Ireland
• Specialist services: Companies offering traffic management, landscaping, or utilities expertise may find opportunities
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities on this or similar projects

What Businesses Should Watch

• Dublin City Council's procurement notices for other Active Travel Network sections
• Similar schemes from other Irish local authorities
• National Active Travel funding programmes
• Changes to Irish transport and climate action policy
• Updates to the Dublin City Development Plan

IrelandTender Procurement Intelligence

This active travel scheme is a significant infrastructure project for Dublin City Council. Several features stand out:

• Quality focus: The 70% quality weighting (with 25% for methodology) reflects the project's complexity and the importance of traffic management in an urban environment
• Strategic importance: The project is part of Dublin's ambitious 314km Active Travel Network, contributing to the city's climate action goals
• Urban environment: The 1.1km stretch passes through a dense urban area, requiring careful traffic management and stakeholder engagement
• Comprehensive scope: The scheme includes a wide range of works from carriageway reconfiguration to landscaping

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Methodology: Demonstrating a clear methodology and understanding of the works (25% of evaluation)
• Traffic management: Providing a robust traffic management plan (15% of evaluation)
• Health and safety: Strong health and safety credentials (10% of evaluation)
• Team and resources: Demonstrating a capable project team (10% of evaluation)
• Cost competitiveness: Cost accounts for 30% of evaluation

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate a clear methodology and understanding of the works—25% of evaluation
• Provide a robust traffic management plan—15% of evaluation
• Show strong health and safety credentials—10% of evaluation
• Present a capable project team and resources—10% of evaluation
• Offer competitive pricing—cost accounts for 30%
• Monitor Dublin City Council for other Active Travel Network sections
• Build relationships with Irish local authorities for similar opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Dublin City Council awarded a €5.66 million active travel scheme to Actavo (Ireland) Limited
• Project: 1.1km stretch of North Circular Road from Dorset Street Lower to Amiens Street
• Works: Segregated cycle facilities, improved pedestrian infrastructure, junction upgrades, carriageway resurfacing
• 3 junctions upgraded (Belvedere Place, Fitzgibbon Street, Summerhill)
• Evaluation: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%)
• Quality criteria: Health & Safety (10%), Methodology (25%), Traffic Management (15%), Works Programme (10%), Team & Resources (10%)
• 4 bids received
• Contract duration: 18 months
• Part of Dublin's 314km Active Travel Network initiative

Conclusion

This active travel scheme represents a significant investment in Dublin's sustainable transport infrastructure. The 1.1km stretch of North Circular Road will be transformed to provide safe, segregated facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, encouraging modal shift away from motorised transport and contributing to the city's climate action goals.

The 70% quality weighting in the evaluation reflects the project's complexity and the importance of methodology, traffic management, and health and safety in an urban environment. Actavo (Ireland) Limited's successful bid demonstrates its expertise in delivering complex civil engineering projects in the Irish capital.

As Dublin City Council continues to expand its Active Travel Network from 40km to 314km, further opportunities will arise for civil engineering companies with the right expertise and capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €5,661,164.14 (excluding VAT).

Q: Who won the contract?

Ans: Actavo (Ireland) Limited.

Q: What does the project cover?

Ans: The North Circular Road from Dorset Street Lower to Amiens Street, approximately 1.1km.

Q: What works are included?

Ans: Segregated cycle facilities, improved pedestrian infrastructure, junction upgrades, carriageway resurfacing, drainage, public lighting, traffic signals, landscaping, and more.

Q: How many junctions are being upgraded?

Ans: Three signal-controlled junctions (Belvedere Place, Fitzgibbon Street, Summerhill).

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (70%) – Health & Safety (10%), Methodology (25%), Traffic Management (15%), Works Programme (10%), Team & Resources (10%) – and Cost (30%).

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: Four bids were received.

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 18 months.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 549156-2026, OJ S 151/2026, published 7 August 2026.