Two major capital projects at completion stage in Athlone

Works on two of 15 capital projects currently ongoing in the Athlone-Moate Municipal District, reflecting an expected €146m of investment in the town's infrastructure, are at the completion phase.

Both the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme and the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme are now at the end stage of their construction process, councillors were informed at the February meeting of the Municipal District.

Having commenced in December 2022, the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is the most significant investment in infrastructure that Athlone has ever experienced. At an expected project cost of €114m, funding for the project was provided by Uisce Éireann.

Councillors were informed the main drainage scheme is now “100% complete”.

It will increase the capacity for future residential and industry growth while also reducing the risk of sewer flooding and allowing for improved water quality in the River Shannon.

Planning permission was granted for the major infrastructural project in June 2022 with works taking place over the project's duration at a number of locations in Athlone, including Golden Island, The Quay, Abbey Road, Coosan West, Burgess Park, The Strand, Payne’s Lane.

The works included the construction of new higher volume underground pumping stations in Golden Island and Coosan West, almost 3km of new sewers, and the decommissioning and demolition of the existing pumping station and pipework on Abbey Road. Two Shannon tunnel crossings were also a focal construction part of the project.

With an expected project cost of €32m, funding for the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme was provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Led by Westmeath County Council, the scheme comprises eight separate cells of flood defences at Deerpark, The Strand, The Quay, Brick Island, Marine View, Iona Park, River Al (Creggan) and Golden Island.

It involves some five kilometres of flood defences, comprising 2.5 kilometres of flood walls, and 2.5 kilometres of flood embankments, 38 flood gates, eight pump stations and about 6.5 kilometres of service diversions. Upon its completion, the scheme is expected to protect approximately 500 homes and 55 commercial properties.

When first announced in 2016, the Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme had a projected cost of €6m. Work started on the scheme in November 2017.

However, works have has expanded in scope and detail in the intervening years with deadlines for its completion regularly extended.

However, the council executive has confirmed that the capital project is now 99% complete.

Cllr Frankie Keena acknowledged that there was much "to be excited about", complimenting Uisce Éireann for their work on the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme.

"This was a major engineering feat and work on the project cannot be underestimated," Cllr Keena said.

The councillor called for the details of all 15 capital projects to be displayed to the public in the Atrium of the town's Civic Centre.

"I would say that almost 99% of the public are unaware of what is actually going on from an infrastructure perspective in our town. We should have all our capital projects on display in the Atrium. We can be too shy or reserved at times when it comes to letting the public know what is going on in their District," Cllr Keena said.

Cllr John Dolan stated that it was "very easy for negativity to spread" with regard to the capital projects, but as a Council "we should be glass three-quarters full" following this presentation.

"No one could have anything bad to say about these capital projects," Cllr Dolan added.

In particular, Cllr Dolan commended the work of Uisce Éireann on the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme.

"A €114m project delivered on time and within budget deserves major respect in my view," Cllr Dolan said.