June 2021 Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project Update
As Ireland, our communities and our businesses, respond to the challenges of COVID-19, Irish Water is working proactively with our delivery partners and as part of a multi-agency working group to ensure that our construction works are carried out in a controlled and safe manner, in keeping with Government and HSE guidelines to protect workers, their families and the broader community.
Irish Water has reviewed the new Government restrictions issued in relation to COVID-19 on January 6th, 2021 and would like to assure customers that we are working with our delivery partners to continue essential operational and construction works to ensure the continuity of drinking water and wastewater services and to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and the public.
Work will continue on the Cobh Networks Contract as part of the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project. This project is delivering essential wastewater infrastructure to protect public health, to meet housing and development needs, address legacy infrastructure deficiencies and to improve compliance with environmental standards.
Strict operating procedures have been implemented across all sites to provide for social distancing, staggered working arrangements, increased hygiene requirements and the use of additional PPE as appropriate. These enhanced safety measures are subject to regular auditing and review by Irish Water’s teams and are also subject to independent checks by the Health and Safety Authority. We will closely monitor all operational and construction activity to ensure best practices are adhered to and transmission of the virus is prevented.
Information on works provided in this update:
1. Cobh Town Networks Contract
· Road closure at Harbour Row
· Extension of road closure at Connolly Street/The Mall
· Vent column installation
· Ongoing Work
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1. Cobh Town Networks Contract
Farrans Sorensen Joint Venture (FSJV) is working on behalf of Irish Water to deliver this contract as part of the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project.
1.1 Road closure at Harbour Row
There will be a road closure of the 30m section of road at Harbour Row, indicated below, for three weeks from tomorrow, Wednesday 9th June to Monday 28th June 2021. These works are a continuation of the 2020 works at this location and will complete the sewer pipeline along Harbour Row. The works will facilitate the installation of a large diameter sewer pipeline, associated gas pipeline diversion and manhole construction. Cork County Council granted this road closure licence.
Imagery © Google, Earth data © 2021
1.2 Extension of road closure at Connolly Street/The Mall
Works are continuing at Connolly Street to facilitate the installation of large diameter sewer pipes, associated manholes and gas main diversion, under a road closure licence granted by Cork County Council to the 26th June 2021.
To complete these works at Connolly Street an additional 3 weeks road closure is required, due to unforeseen ground conditions. FSJV has applied to Cork County Council for this extension – a road closure licence from 27th June 2021 to 16th July 2021.
1.3 Vent column installation
Works on the installation of vent column bases will began next week at Pebble Beach and Whitepoint Drive. Access will be maintained however some localised traffic management measures will be required for the duration of the works.
1.4 Ongoing Work
Pumping Stations
Works are continuing at the pumping station sites at Old Town Hall, Cork Dockyard and intermittently at Station Carpark, Rushbrooke Hotel and Dock Cottages. These work areas are completely fenced off and monitored by works personnel.
Town Centre
While the substantial amount of connections are complete in the town centre, there will be ongoing localised works over the coming months to complete testing and ancillary works.
Localised Stop / Go traffic management will be intermittently when necessary for short periods of time to complete these ancillary works.
Outfall Works
Works to install emergency overflow pipes at Station Car Park, Rushbrooke, Dock Cottages and Cork Dockyard Pumping Stations are now substantially complete.
The emergency overflow pipe at Old Town Hall is currently under construction.
The work is being carried out by a specialist subcontractor and includes the use of a pontoon barge.
As the pipelines are installed, the water surrounding the works may appear cloudy at times due to the disturbance of sediment. We will use silt curtains to contain this to a small area around the works.
Information shared as a Mariner’s Notice (Notice 3 of 2021) is available at the Port of Cork website here.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their co-operation and patience while works progress.
For further information regarding the works please contact the Community Liaison team at Farrans Sorensen Joint Venture, at (086) 852 3203.
You can also register for SMS Notifications by texting COBH to 50015.
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FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information on the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage project please visit www.water.ie/corklowerharbour.
When all the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage works are complete in 2021, the project will, in compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, treat all wastewater from the agglomerations of:
- Ringaskiddy-Crosshaven-Carrigaline;
- Ringaskiddy village;
- Passage-Monkstown;
- Cobh town.
This means 20,000 homes and businesses will be connected to the new scheme and that raw sewage from these areas will no longer be discharged into the Harbour, positively impacting the local economy and greatly improving the amenity value of the Cork Lower Harbour for the surrounding communities.
Kind regards,
Déaglán Healy
Project Manager Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project
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