Contractors McAdam and BSG are delivering the £7.8 million project on behalf of NI Water.
The tunnelling works are taking place in the Meadow Lane area and require the establishment of tunnel compounds. With the first tunnel compound now complete, BSG is planning to construct the second compound which will be located close to Tim Hortons on Meadow Lane. The second compound is set to get underway on the 16 October, with the project taking around 10 weeks to complete. The grass section and the footpath in front of Tim Hortons, and one lane of Meadow Lane will be closed. Alternative routes for pedestrians will be available.
The following traffic management will be in place:
• Meadow Lane northbound (towards the town centre) will have a contraflow in place between Portmore Street and Bridge Street with northbound traffic diverted into the southbound lane.
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• The filter lane for Meadows Retail Park will not be in use for southbound traffic. Motorists wishing to turn right may do so from the southbound lane. There will be a different traffic light system in place to allow motorists to turn right.
• Traffic exiting Meadows Retail Park will only be able to turn right. A signposted diversion will be in place for motorists.
Construction works on the new wastewater pumping station will include the installation of over 600 metres of large diameter sewer which will deliver environmental improvements in the town.
Lisa Hughes, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: "NI Water and our project team from McAdam and BSG have planned the installation of this 1500mm diameter sewer by trenchless means (via underground tunnelling), rather than traditional open-cut construction methods, in a bid to reduce disruption in the area.
"A third and final tunnel shaft will be required in Meadow Lane East Car Park to facilitate tunnelling towards the new pumping station. Additional car parking spaces have been created within the car park to offset the space required for this tunnel shaft. NI Water will provide further communication in advance of work starting in Meadow Lane East Car Park and the next phase of tunnelling works getting underway. The team will strive to minimise the impact of all works on the local community and deliver this multi-million-pound project in a safe, efficient and timely way."
