Progress / Programme

Progress on the last months

To facilitate the management of the Works, the project team has been developed into four sections of the site. Section 1 is from Clonee to Roestown, section 2 from Roestown to Kilcarn, section 3 from Kilcarn to Kilmainham and section 4 from Kilmainham to Carnaross.

Works have been progressing well with approximately 95% of the boundary fencing erected and the site clearance substantially complete. This period has seen a number of environmental measures being put in place to minimize the impact of the motorway on the environment. The construction team have employed a team consisting of Environmental Scientists, Hydrogeologists and Specialist Ecologists to implement the conditions and stipulations of the Environmental Impact Statement and to promote an environmentally sustainable approach to the construction of the M3 Motorway. An Environmental Operating Plan is in place for the project with the goal of minimizing impacts during construction.

General environmental measures include but are not limited to the following:

Ground and Surface water quality monitoring is currently being undertaken along the route. Dust Suppression and monitoring is in place at sensitive locations Noise and Vibration Monitoring at sensitive locations is being implemented. Intensive monitoring of site clearance and watercourses is ongoing with continuing representations from various state agencies, in particular the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, The Office of Public Works and the Parks and Wildlife Service.

Specific Measures are also in place paying particular attention to Ecology onsite and these are:

• Felling of Bat Roosts under license and under the supervision of Bat specialists. Replacement of Bat Habitats with the installation of numerous Bat Boxes along the route.
• Installation of mammal underpasses to provide ecological corridors to promote biodiversity across the route.
• Exclusion of Badgers under license and supervised by Badger Specialists. Artificial Badger Sets have been constructed in sensitive locations throughout the site.
• Erection of mammal proof fencing to prevent animals straying onto the finished motorway.
• Capture and Translocation of Trout and Salmon undertaken by Eastern Regional Fisheries Board at locations where river and stream diversions are necessary.

Approximately 2/3 of the whole site has been topsoil stripped and bulk earthworks are underway in all sections. Despite one of the worst summers on record a significant amount of work has been achieved. The headline achievements are as follows.

• 2.5 million m3 of muck shifted.
• 24 structures underway.
• All piped culverts completed.
• 50% of box culverts installed.
• Pre cast underpasses commenced.

Programmed works for the next months.

The next earthworks season, weather dependent, will see a significant increase in bulk earthworks activities. Works will also commence on the paving of the mainline with up to 10km of paving anticipated within the next 3 months.

The next 3 months will see the commencement of the two largest structures on the project the crossing of the Boyne River at Ardsallagh and the crossing of the Blackwater at Derver.

With the Fairyhouse/Pace diversions planned for the early part of the next period, work on the Pace interchange can start in earnest. The completion of this interchange together with the associated works on the new Dunboyne bypass will allow this section of the works to be opened by the end of the year.

Blasting works at Kilmainham are planned within the next period. All associated safety measures have been put in place, further liason with all interested parties will be instigated prior to works commencing.

There are unfortunately further traffic diversions planned for the coming periods and this are listed below.