Irish Water working to ‘balance’ delay on Cavan water mains project

Work on the second phase of the major water mains rehabilitation in Cavan Town has commenced with the main contractor hoping to make up for delays that have, thus far, beset the multi-million euro investment project.
A variety of factors including weather, ground conditions and services have hampered progress to date. The work first began on Monday, January 27, and was expected to take around six months to complete.
Being delivered by Irish Water, working in partnership with Cavan County Council, the aim of the scheme is to replacing problematic water mains throughout the county town and to provide a more reliable water supply with reduced leakage levels.
Works on phase one - Main Street to Bridge Street - are ongoing, with projected completion of that stretch of roadway work now scheduled for early March. This follows the extension of the road closure licence between the junction with Bridge Street as far as the Egg Market at Connolly Street.
A spokesperson for Irish Water confirmed to The Anglo-Celt that, in a bid to alleviate potential further delays, Farrans Construction, who are undertaking the works, have now commenced works within the phase two area to ensure the project “remains on target”.
'Irish Water recognise that, whilst it has target dates in place for various elements of the work, as with all complex engineering projects, delivery and completion of certain elements of works are dependent on a variety of factors project wide including weather, ground conditions and services. In the wider interests of the project Irish Water needs to balance these factors in order to keep the project on target.'
In a bid to flag the disruption affecting the town due to the works, variable messaging signage has been placed on approach to Cavan Town advising the public of ongoing works.
Additional signage has been erected advising businesses are open as usual and pedestrian footpaths are available to use.
Cavan County Council meanwhile is also providing free parking at the multi-storey carpark for the local community and visitors to Cavan Town.
The Irish Water spokesperson added that engagement with the local community, including businesses, will continue to be a “vital part” of successfully delivering the works in Cavan Town.
"We are committed to keeping them informed with regular meetings held with on the ground for the duration,” said the spokesperson, before concluding: “Once complete in August 2020 customers will experience improved water security and water quality in this area.”