Critical Longford water main works set to begin with three month road closure warning

The critical upgrade works to replace over 5.4km of aged water mains with new pipes along the N55 is set to commence early next week, according to Uisce Éireann.

The works are aimed at securing the town's water supply, reducing high levels of leakage, and supporting much-needed growth, bringing significant benefits to our thriving midland town.

A contractor Ward and Burke Construction Ltd was appointed in June to carry out the multi-million euro water main upgrade from Carrickboy to Ballymahon to replace a porous pipe that frequently bursts.

The disruption, which has been a notable problem since 2019 and a significant issue, in particular during the past two years, has frequently impacted over 6,000 residents and business owners.

Local people in the Ballymahon, Legan, Ballymahon, Carrickedmond, Forgney and Ardagh areas have been left frustrated and dismayed due to ongoing bursts and loss of water.

The project will take place along the N55 between the Carrickedmond Church and Ballymahon Mart and Uisce Éireann said traffic management is necessary to deliver this vital project efficiently and safely, with the latter a key priority.

The water utility said the works will commence from, Monday, August 11, will be delivered with stop/go traffic management supporting traffic flow in both directions.

A road closure is required for the next phase of works to install this large pipework, beginning on Monday, August 25.

The road closure will be in place 24 hours a day until Friday, November 28.

Uisce Éireann said working is close collaboration with Longford County Council the road closure will support combined works seeing both the delivery of the vital water main construction and the critical road upgrade works.

The water utility stated flows will be diverted during this time, with local and emergency services access only.

Uisce Éireann and Longford County Council are working in close coordination to minimise the overall disruption to the community and road users during these critical projects.

Dave Murphy, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, who spoke about the project, said working in partnership with Longford County Council, they are coordinating 'two significant upgrades' for the Ballymahon community.

"The water mains replacement will be delivered in conjunction with Longford County Council's road upgrade works—all within the planned closure period.

"We understand that from experience, the road closure will cause inconvenience, but by combining these projects, we are limiting the overall impact. This is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain—once complete, the improvements will bring lasting benefits to residents, businesses, and road users.

"The replacement of these old, damaged pipes will have a positive impact on leakage by significantly lowering the instances of bursts and supply disruptions along the network, providing a more secure water supply for local homes and businesses for years to come.

"We would like to extend our thanks to the community in advance for their patience and support as we arrive to deliver this much-needed project to future-proof the water network and support the town to grow."

Con Diffley, Senior Executive Engineer for Longford County Council, stated the continued investment by Uisce Éireann in the region is welcomed.

"By collaborating on these two key infrastructure projects, we can reduce the disruption period and deliver lasting improvements to the community's road network.

“We sincerely thank the community and road users for their patience and cooperation during these essential works, which will provide significant benefits for years to come.”

This project is being delivered as part of Uisce Éireann's national Leakage Reduction Programme, which continues to provide significant benefits to communities across Ireland, including improved water quality, provision of a more resilient and sustainable water supply for customers, and considerable water savings.

For more information on the Leakage Reduction Programme, please visit www.water.ie/reducingleaks. Customers can also contact Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 with any questions about the project.

Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number on our text alerts page.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland.

The water utility said they are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. To find out more, visit www.water.ie

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