East meets west beneath the Shannon

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

The multimillion-euro Athlone Main Drainage Scheme has hit another key milestone with the completion of a second underwater tunnel beneath the River Shannon, linking the town’s sewer network from east to west.  

Guided by expert diving and tunnelling crews, the giant tunnel boring machine was lowered into an eight-metre-deep launch shaft on the river’s east bank at the Strand Car Park. It carved its way through gravel and rock, beneath the riverbed and re-emerged 22 days later at the receiving shaft outside Sean’s Bar on the west side. 
  
Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann Eunan Canavan said: “The successful completion of the second, and final, River Shannon crossing is a critical milestone in the delivery of this ambitious project that will shape the future of Athlone. The finish line is now clearly in sight with works over 80% complete. We’d like to thank the expert construction crews involved and, of course, the community in Athlone for their ongoing support as we deliver this critical project to protect the environment and support growth.”  
  
Commenting on the project, Councillor Liam McDaniel, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council said: "Linking Athlone’s sewer system under the Shannon is a huge step forward for the town. It’s not something people see every day, but it’s a major engineering feat that will really benefit the community – helping protect the environment and making sure our infrastructure is ready for future growth. We’d like to thank Uisce Éireann and the construction team for their expertise and skill in carrying out this vital work.”   
  
The works, which began in 2023, are now more than 80% complete. Shaft construction is fully complete, and the final phase of tunnelling from the Strand Carpark is well underway. Cross connection works, to facilitate the connection of the existing and new sewer networks, will continue at various locations around the town in the coming months. Testing and commissioning of the Coosan West Pump Station is also ongoing, and commissioning of the new terminal pumping station in Golden Island will be carried out in the Summer.  
  
The €114 million Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is one of the most significant projects that Uisce Éireann has carried out to date. The mammoth investment involves the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost three kilometres of new underground sewer pipes. When complete later this year, it will transform Athlone by reducing the risk of sewer flooding in the town, addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Shannon as well as increasing the capacity of the sewer network enabling future population growth.  
  
For further information on this project, visit the dedicated project page here.