Consultants to be appointed for Ballinasloe flood scheme – Naughten

In East Galway, Infrastructure, News, South Roscommon by Denis Naughten

 

Minister Boxer Moran & local TD Denis Naughten inspecting the East Bridge in Ballinasloe .

Local TD Denis Naughten has confirmed that consultant engineers are to be appointed to the Ballinasloe Flood Relief project to progress a €8.6m investment in the town.

“Consultant engineers are to be appointed to progress the development of a Flood Relief Scheme for Ballinasloe, including any environmental assessment, public consultation and to deliver the formal planning approval for the project,” said Denis Naughten.

The proposed works under consideration by the engineering team to protect the town of Ballinasloe include:

  • Construction of 530m of new flood defence walls, 5km of flood defence embankments and a demountable flood gate;
  • Construction of two new 6m wide flood alleviation arch culverts at Ballinasloe East Bridge.
  • Works on riverbank 130m upstream and downstream of the bridge to 35.3m to maximize efficiency of the flood alleviation culverts;
  • Construction of two Lock Gates across the Canal and a sluice gate across the channel flowing into the marina from the canal;
  • Upgrade existing culvert to a 2.0m diameter culvert;
  • Upgrade the existing Kilclooney Road Bridge on the River Deerpark;
  • Works on the riverbed upstream and downstream of Kilclooney Road Bridge to maximise efficiency of the upgraded structure;
  • Maintenance works of the west and east channels to ensure their full capacity can be utilised in a flood event.

“It is expected that Minister Kevin Boxer Moran, Minister for the Office of Public Works, will make a formal announcement later this week. This announcement builds on the investment of €400,000 already allocated in conjunction with Minister Sean Canney for flood relief measures in Ballinasloe, South Roscommon and East Galway since the Government was formed,” explained Denis Naughten.

“To complement the flood measures to date and those planned for Ballinasloe, work is ongoing on the River Shannon itself, south of where it meets the River Suck, to remove blockages in the flow of the river that have a direct impact on flooding south of Ballinasloe.

“Other projects throughout County Roscommon & East Galway are currently under consideration and further measures will take place along the River Shannon over the coming months which will have a direct impact on flooding problems along the River Suck and River Shannon,” concluded Denis Naughten.