As a resident contractor on the Irish Water Civil Engineering Framework, Leinster Region Córas Pipeline Services as part of the Nu Line Coras Joint Venture  were appointed as Design & Build Contractor (PSDP and PSCS) on the Patrickswell Lane and Loughbuoy West CSO Upgrade Project in early 2018.

13/098-156 – Drogheda CSO Upgrade – Drogheda combined sewer/storm overflow upgrade project included upgrade of two CSO sites identified in the greater Drogheda Area Drainage Study, Patrickswell Lane in the town centre and the park site at Loughbuoy West.

Patrickswell Lane CSO included:

  1. Replacement of existing 158CH & 176CH Hydro-Brakes with new Vortex Flow Control (VFC) units in 2 new 1800mm dia. manholes.
  2. Upsizing of pipework downstream of the main Storm-King chamber to the new VFC unit & in the continuation pipework.
  3. Removal of the 300mm diameter pipework between the existing Hydro-Brake chamber and overflow manhole.
  4. Construction of a new 135m x 400mm diameter pipeline from the VFC unit to the Northern Interceptor Sewer at the junction of Dominick Street & Wellington Quay.
  5. Construction of new retaining wall at grass mound at Courthouse and reinstatement of new granite paved area at main entrance.

Loughboy West CSO included:

  1. Replacement of existing 150CH type Hydro-Brake with a new VFC unit and replacement manhole.
  2. Upsizing of continuation sewer downstream of the VFC chamber from 225mm diameter to 375mm diameter.
  3. Landscaping reinstatement of Lower Mell Park area along 25m wide wayleave area with natural grass reinstatement of playing field area

In recent years the Drogheda area has been subjected to significant and severe flooding in the old town and Boyne River floodplain areas of Loughbuoy and Dominick Street, around the area of the new Courthouse and Abbey Shopping Centre. The Combined Storm Overflow upgrade project was delivered following extensive drainage area studies to provide modern flooding control and storm water discharge control of peak storm flows.
On the Drogheda Project the same team were deployed to deliver the Design & Build Civil Engineering works as on the Dundalk Sewer Project. The proven collaborative approach to Design Development, Enabling and Construction was applied to the urban civil engineering ground works and infrastructure project. The Works Order Application and subsequent Site Pack were compiled using the same proven approach with all key bespoke plans and procedures, enabling controlled management and preparation for notifications and approvals through to construction commencement.

The complex 4m deep works were located outside the new Courthouse, the main Bus Éireann stop area and Garda Station in Patrickswell Lane an Dominic Street and in close proximity to the Abbey Shopping Centre necessitating and focussed effort on stakeholder management. Ground conditions were susceptible to the effects of tidal flow adding to the complex technical challenges of working on a live urban combined flow storm and foul system. The Loughbuoy West element of the works involved 8m deep excavation in the public parkland area adjacent to the River Boyne with continual archaeological support required.

Under the management of Spencer Williams and the Córas team both works element were delivered ahead of time and budget working in close collaboration with the Irish Water and Louth County Council.