Works due to start on several Athlone roads as watermains to be upgraded
Water infrastructure works are to get underway shortly along a number of roads in urban Athlone, leading to traffic disruption in several areas over the coming months.
Uisce Éireann said today (Thursday) that the planned works were part of its efforts to upgrade the water network in Athlone and support the town's future development.
The works are due to include the upgrading and upsizing of more than 2.5 kilometres of water mains at Cartrontroy Road, Coosan Road and Cornamagh Road, which will be carried out by Coffey Construction on Uisce Éireann's behalf.
These construction works are due to begin at the start of August and will take approximately six months to complete.
"The project will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to the local community," Uisce Éireann said.
Separate design stage works to upgrade the trunk water main connection to Annagh Reservoir are also being planned on sections of the busy Ballymahon Road.
The design works "will soon commence along the Ballymahon Road across the Athlone Bypass/N6 road junction and in the vicinity of Cornamaddy National School," stated Uisce Éireann.
Site investigations for this part of the project are scheduled to begin this month, with the works being carried out by contractors Ward & Burke Construction.
Padraig Hanly, Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the "patience and support" of the local community would be appreciated while the works are being carried out.
"These upgrades will ensure that the water network is fit for purpose to support sustainable growth and development while also improving the resilience of the drinking water network enabling communities to thrive," said Mr Hanly.
"We'd like to thank the people of Athlone in advance for their patience and support as we carry out these critical works."
The water infrastructure upgrades are being delivered through Uisce Éireann’s Growth and Development Programme, which it said is "a national programme of targeted investment to increase the capacity of water and wastewater infrastructure to enable social and economic growth, including the delivery of essential housing."
The utility added that it would be committed to "keeping the local community updated" as the details of this project are finalised.