Ground breaking
Fine weather provides boost to New Ross bypass groundworks
David Looby
Published
14/01/2017 | 00:00
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The bypass looking at the Wexford road from Arnestown
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The bypass looking at the Wexford road from Arnestown
Major earthworks are under way along the New Ross Bypass, including blasting.
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Work began on the bypass early in the summer and already significant progress has been made due to favourable weather conditions, including ground works and drainage works. A number of areas have been opened up to extract material to be used in other parts of the site. Rock excavation by controlled blasting has commenced in the Stokestown area.
A BAM Dragados JV spokesperson said: 'The works on the River Barrow Bridge are progressing steadily. A temporary jetty to gain access to the temporary works area was created to allow the construction of the only pier to be built in the river, Pier 4. On the Kilkenny side of the river we are preparing the foundations for piers 1, 2 and 3 which is right on the edge of the river bank. On the Wexford side, piers 5, 6 & 7 are piled and foundations are being prepared.'
Structures have progressed with six watercourse realignments and the associated precast concrete box culverts now in place.
Accommodation underpass structures are in the process of being cast offsite with the first installation on site expected over the coming weeks.
The spokesperson said: 'It is anticipated that speed limit restrictions will be put in place on the N25 at Glenmore this month and at Ballymacar in March to facilitate the construction of roundabouts at these locations.
'All site accesses and associated signage are now in place to give advance warning to motorists throughout the project.'
The structure on the R733 is a single span reinforced earth underbridge. There is another one of this type to be constructed at Ballyverneen (L7513).'
There are ten structures that will be built to take local roads over or under the new road.
These will require traffic management to be put in place to allow construction.
'Advanced notice of traffic management will be in place at the locations,' the spokesperson said.
'There are seventeen culverts to be constructed to divert watercourses. Six of these are complete with five more under way.'
Current works being carried out include cut and fill earthworks including rock extraction by blasting, culverts and underpasses, River Barrow Bridge piling and foundations and minor road realignments.
Upcoming works over the coming weeks and months include cut and fill earthworks at the River Barrow Bridge, foundations and pier construction works and minor road realignments.
Upwards of 300 jobs are being created in the construction of the bypass, while 2,100 jobs are being created through maintenance, repairs, bridge repairs, drainage and lighting the bypass over 30 years, according to contractors BAM Iridium.
The company are currently recruiting for civil engineers and quantity surveyors.
The new road will allow traffic on the N25 between Cork and Waterford to bypass the town of New Ross and cross the Lower Barrow on a new 36m high, 887m long four-lane suspension bridge.
This will feature the world's longest central span three tower extradosed bridge, a type of cable-stay structure, spanning the River Barrow.
The 230 million scheme involves the construction of approximately 13.6km of new dual carriageway and 1.2km of new and upgraded single carriageway to bypass the town of New Ross.
The landscape of the Pink Rock area and several other areas has been transformed due to the works.
The dual carriageway will include the world's longest three tower extradosed bridge, a type of cable-stay structure, spanning the River Barrow. It will measure 887m and stretch from Pink Point to Stokestown.
Project Liaison Officer on the New Ross bypass Sean Dobbs, of Wexford County Council, said: 'The works are progressing well and the road remains on programme to open in early 2019.'
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