The Strand car park in Athlone town centre has reopened following temporary closure for tunnelling and other construction works associated with the €114 million Athlone Main Drainage Scheme, Uisce Éireann has announced.

The reinstatement of this key facility marks a significant stage in the ongoing delivery of the project.

Construction on the scheme is now more than 95% complete. Cross-connection works linking the existing and new sewer networks are almost finished, while decommissioning of redundant pumping stations and sections of the old sewer network, including combined sewer overflows, is underway at multiple locations. Coosan West Pumping Station has been completed and is operational. Testing and commissioning of the new terminal pumping station at Golden Island is at an advanced stage, with final finishing works in progress.

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Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, Eunan Canavan, said: "The reopening of the Strand car park is another important step toward the completion of this transformative project. With works now more than 95% complete, the finish line is in sight. We'd like to thank the people and businesses of Athlone for their continued patience and support as we finalise the delivery of the scheme that will protect the environment, reduce the risk of flooding, and support the next generation of growth in the town."

The Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is one of Uisce Éireann’s largest projects, involving new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West and nearly three kilometres of new underground sewer pipes. When complete later this year, the scheme will reduce the risk of sewer flooding, address non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Shannon, and increase the capacity of the network to accommodate future population growth.

For further information on this project, visit the dedicated project page here.