€32m flood relief works progressing in Limerick

WORKS on areas affected by the King's Island Flood Relief Scheme have resumed following Christmas, with the contractor issuing an update.

The €32m main contract for the scheme with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd protects over 500 homes from water damage.
Ward & Burke have now issued an update for St Ita’s Road, Lee Estate/Athlunkard Boat Club, and the Courthouse/Civic Building sites.

At the St Ita’s Road site, residents can expect: works continuing on permanent fencing, storm sewer works will commence, the Riverbank Walkway will remain closed and fisherman’s access will be maintained.

At the Lee Estate/Athlunkard Boat Club site, haul road construction will continue, foul sewer diversion works will commence and residents are reminded that the Riverbank Walkway remains closed.

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At the Courthouse/Civic Building site, permanent fencing will be installed, archaeological testing is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and follow diversions from Merchants Quay to Nicholas Street to avoid the closed riverbank.

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Limerick City and County Council, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), initiated the major project aimed at protecting King’s Island and surrounding areas from future flooding events.

On February 1, 2014, significant flooding occurred, causing extensive damage.

The Flood Relief Scheme will protect 506 residential and 22 non-residential properties from tidal flooding, offering a standard of protection of 0.5% annual exceedance probability.

An advance works contract was completed in October 2017.

Detailed design, site investigation and archaeological excavations were conducted in 2022/23.

The tender process in February 2024 resulted in Ward & Burke Construction Ltd being awarded the contract for €32m (excluding VAT).

Construction begun in October 2024 and is programmed for completion in 24 months.

The King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme includes: 2,200 metres of 2.5-metre-high earthen flood embankment with a 3-metre-wide footpath and cycleway.

Flood defence upgrades to existing quay walls, including deconstruction of existing quay walls and parapets, lime mortar repointing, lime grouting, and stonework repair.

As well as this, plans include the construction of 290 metres flood defence walls with glass panels and 810 metres of stone-clad reinforced concrete walls.

Associated works also include 600m of access routes with a new fisherman’s access.