Businesses and shoppers in Galway are to benefit from Irish Water upgrade works to one of the oldest sewers in the country. The upgrade will address odour and blockage issues that have resulted in significant disruption for businesses and customers on some of Galway’s busiest streets.
The works are part of the Sewer Rehabilitation Project that Irish Water is carrying out in partnership with Galway Co. Co. The project will see one of the oldest sewers in the country receive a €2 million investment to bring it in line with other modern sewer infrastructure across the world.
This phase of the project involves the installation of a new lining inside the existing sewer and follows large-scale works on Shop Street, William Street, High Street, Cross Street and St. Augustine Street, where over 330 tonnes of grit, fats, oils, greases were removed from the old sewer.
Irish Water is working to reduce the potential impact to shoppers and businesses and all streets will remain open with full pedestrian access throughout the project. The works are ongoing, and will be carried out at night time on Shop Street with day-timeworks to take place on St. Augustine Street. All works are due to be completed by October 2019.
As part of the project, Irish Water are also replacing a number of sections of collapsed sewer along Middle Street which are causing the sewer to block up. To facilitate these works, Middle Street has been closed all this week.
Local access will be maintained on the first half of Middle Street up to St. Augustine’s Parish Church for residents and deliveries. The direction of traffic will be reversed on St. Augustine Street and a diversion route will be signposted.
The remaining sewers along Middle Street will also be rehabilitated while the road closure is in place.
Speaking on the project, Eunan Canavan, Capital Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water added. “This is a very important project for Galway City and will result in a much improved sewer network in the city center which will address the sewer flooding and odour issues which have been prevalent in the past.
“We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused by these necessary repair works. We will be keeping residents and businesses updated in advance of works commencing through letter drop and we will be available to answer queries at any stage during the project.”
Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan. Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5 billion investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021.
