Embattled firm BAM applies to build €150m bypass in Limerick

THE EMBATTLED construction company behind the “fiasco” that is the National Children’s Hospital has applied for the tender to build the long-awaited €150m Adare bypass.

The move has prompted a local government minister to say that “the reputation of Limerick and the region cannot be held to ransom” by the company being potentially awarded this contract  

BAM Civil Ltd are one of four firms to tender for the 7km project ahead of the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027.

The bypass will remove unnecessary through traffic from Adare village.  The bypass is one element of the €450m 33km road connecting Limerick to the port of Foynes.

Minister of State Niall Collins has expressed his concern after the tenders were opened by the council and BAM was one of those to apply.

“This is a critical piece of infrastructure for Limerick. BAM have demonstrated in the National Children's Hospital fiasco that they are singularly incapable of delivering on time and within budget and this is a project that we need delivered on time and within budget,” said Mr Collins.

He said BAM’s lack of performance on the National Children’s Hospital should “absolutely be taken into account and factored in when their tender is being assessed”.

“This is a deadline that can't be missed. We have too much at stake with the Ryder Cup.

“The reputation of Limerick and the region cannot be held to ransom by BAM being potentially awarded this contract given what we have seen with the National Children’s Hospital,” said Mr Collins.

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The bill for the hospital has run to €2.2b after an original cost of €650m. The Oireachtas Health Committee heard that the main completion date had shifted 14 times.

BAM had not responded to a query from the  Leader about the Adare bypass tender at the time of going to press. However, a BAM spokesperson told the Irish Independent: “BAM has a strong, proven track record of delivering major projects on, or ahead of, programme over many years.”

The BAM spokesperson staunchly defended the company’s record and was confident of completing the project on time and on budget.

The other three to tender for the Adare bypass are a joint venture between John Sisk & Son and Sorensen Civil Engineering, Jons Civil Engineering, Wills Brothers. The  tenders are currently being assessed.