Strand Carpark to reopen in October as Main Drainage tunnelling works complete

The Strand Carpark is due to reopen in October, as Uisce Éireann announced today that all tunnelling work on the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is now complete.

The €114m project, which began in 2023, remains on schedule and is due to be completed this year, with flows set to be turned into the new sewer network by October.

In a statement released today, Uisce Éireann said all tunnelling works are now fully finished and reinstatement works are underway across the town. Works along The Quays have also been completed.

The new Coosan West Pumping Station is now operating, while work is progressing well at the new Golden Island pumping station. Cross-connection works between the existing and new network are ongoing at various locations around the town.

The Athlone Main Drainage project team will also be carrying out public realm enhancements on Custume Place, which were designated under the Church Street Improvement Works, with work expected to begin in October.

Commenting on the progress, Uisce Éireann Portfolio Manager Eunan Canavan said: "We are grateful to the community for their continued patience as we reach the final stages of this transformative project. The Athlone Main Drainage Scheme will significantly improve the capacity and resilience of the wastewater infrastructure, ensuring Athlone is well prepared for future growth and development, while also reducing the risk of sewer flooding, improving the water quality in the River Shannon and supporting a cleaner, healthier environment."

The Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is one of Uisce Éireann’s largest projects to date, representing an investment of €114m. The project involved the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost 3km of new large trunk sewers. The existing under-performing pumping stations and pipework will be decommissioned. Combined sewer overflows have been eliminated at six locations along the River Shannon and replaced by two new stormwater overflows designed to meet current licencing standards, improving water quality, and protecting the environment.

Works have taken place at a number of locations across Athlone, including Golden Island, West Bank (The Quay), West Side, Abbey Road, Coosan West, The Strand, Burgess Park, Payne’s Lane, and two separate tunnelled crossings under the River Shannon. The new sewers were installed using trenchless technology, meaning that a significant proportion of the construction took place underground without the need for open-cut excavation.