Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Westmeath County Council, has in recent weeks, passed crucial milestones in the delivery of the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme.
The water company, alongside its delivery partner Ward & Burke Construction, has announced the successful completion of the first underground crossing of the River Shannon.
Uisce Éireann is progressing work on the installation of almost 3kms of new underground sewer pipes as part of the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme. The work will take Uisce Éireann one step closer to the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of sewer flooding in Athlone, whilst addressing non-compliant sewer overflows to the River Shannon.
The tunnelling works which began in September 2023 in the Deerpark/Showgrounds area of Athlone were scheduled for completion in early 2024. The tunnel boring machine paved its way under the river, installing the critical pipeline and has now successfully arrived at Burgess Park. The next phase of tunnelling works will commence this week and will take approximately two months to complete. Following on from these works, tunnelling will commence from Golden Island to Paynes Lane with an estimated completion date of Summer 2024.
Preparation works to facilitate the underground tunnelling works will continue at several locations in Athlone,
Commenting on the importance of the successful completion of this phase of the project, Eunan Canavan, Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, said:
“We are delighted that this essential capital investment for the people of Athlone is making steady progress. Completion of the first tunnel under the River Shannon is a massive milestone. We look forward to moving on to the next phase of works over Spring and into the Summer months and are working hard to deliver this important project while limiting the impact on the local community."
“The pumping station construction at Golden Island is also progressing well with work now well underway to sink the walls of the shaft to the correct level, which is a huge 20 meters below ground level. We are on track to have the base and internal walls completed on target.”
Ward and Burke Construction Ltd is delivering the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme on behalf of Uisce Éireann Ltd and the scheme is expected to be completed in Q4 of 2025.
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