DATUM Monitoring Ireland in Moira, Co Down, is managing monitoring works at the primary train station in Cork to ensure ongoing construction works adjacent to Kent Station will not affect the stability of the city's superstructure or railway lines.

The ongoing €3.5million project at Kent Station by Iarnród Éireann (Irish rail IR) will see the construction of two new entrance buildings and a new bi-directional road linking Railway Street, Alfred Street and Horgan's Quay.

Datum Monitoring Ireland, which offers a comprehensive range of geotechnical and structural expertise specialising in remote monitoring of earthworks, structures and transport infrastructure, has been appointed by Dublin based construction group - SIAC Ltd.

SIAC Ltd, which is currently constructing a new building entrance and subway, appointed Datum Monitoring Ireland to install extensive remote monitoring sensors.

Mark Hodgen said Datum's specialists are delighted to be working on the project with SIAC Ltd.

He said: "This is a 13 month project set in the hub of intercity rail service which connects Cork with the rest of Ireland. It's an exciting project for Irish Rail which will change the face of one of Ireland's busiest railway stations.

-- Advertisement --

"SIAC Ltd have contracted Datum to install Wireless Tilt Sensors to monitor any movement which could potentially occur on the existing buildings and railway lines due to construction activity.

"Wireless Piezometers monitoring ground pressures are also being recorded. These systems are set up with early alarm protocols which activate on-site sirens if any movement exceed allowable limits.

"The DATUM team will also monitor the works using precise 3D target levelling and by manually reading deep boreholes for inclination."

The project has involved the combination of 25 wireless TiltMATE Sensors - nine internal, 16 external rotation sensors and 69 Wireless TrackMATE sensors monitoring the running rail heights. These provide SIAC Ltd and Irish Rail real time data on how the structure is reacting to ongoing ground works which include heavy industry piling. DATUM have also installed 26 precise Levelling points which are being manually monitored on a weekly basis.

Mark added: "Datum is delighted to be able to offer our client a remote monitoring system which they can access and review their own data. This provides them with the comfort of reviewing any changes in on-site construction activity without needing to leave their offices. This monitoring assurance alongside the physical on-site monitoring has made a very complex monitoring specification both commercial and deliverable."

The new entrance buildings will incorporate information systems, public address, ticket vending, seating, commercial advertising, provision for potential future retail vending.

The new road will have traffic lights, traffic calming features, pavements, bus stops with shelters, cycle parking with shelters and a taxi set-down. There will also be street lighting, bollards, storm water drainage and perimeter railings.

The new carpark with 140 spaces and set-down area will be accessed from Horgan's Quay.