Kildare rail passengers will be able to get direct trains to Dublin city centre from late 2016 under a €14m upgrade.

At present, commuters from Kildare have to stop at Heuston Station and switch to the Luas to get into the city centre.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is to begin upgrade works on the existing Phoenix Park Tunnel - which will allow commuter trains to run from Kildare directly to central Dublin and Grand Canal Dock.

The project includes station works, tunnel upgrade and track renewal.

Irish Rail says the project will allow regular commuter trains operate through the Phoenix Park Tunnel for the first time by upgrading the tunnel and route, and increasing the number of train services which can operate on the line between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock.

Services on the Kildare commuter line will be a mix of Kildare to Dublin Heuston, and Kildare to Grand Canal Dock services offering new connections to commuters.

The new services will begin in Autumn 2016.

At the launch of the project in Heuston Station, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said: "For the first time, commuters on the popular Kildare suburban rail line will have frequent services directly into the heart of the south city business district".

"This will provide an attractive alternative for private motorists who currently commute into the city along the congested N7 corridor".