Limerick Smarter Travel Contract 2.1: Rhebogue to UL

Client

Limerick City & County Council

Consultant

PUNCH Consulting Engineers

Location

Limerick

1500m long pedestrian and cycle way along the ancienmt towpath on the banks of the River Shannon, with 4 new bridges 

Key Features

- 1500m of new cycleway/footpath along the ancient tow path of the River Shannon, connecting University of Limerick to the city centre

- Construction of two new steel structures; a 12m single span crossing of the River Groody, and a 3 span 36m long curved crossing of River Shannon wetlands – both had piled foundations and a recycled eco friendly decking

- New build masonry arch bridge and a separate precast concrete and masonry clad bridge to cross tributaries of the Shannon – again piling was required at both locations

- Substantial enabling and temporary works to provide access to the site and in particular the bridge locations

- Installation of timber kerbs, surfacing, public lighting and street furniture

- All works carried out within the River Shannon Special Area of Conservation – major interface with Irish Parks and Wildlife due to presence of protected species such as lamprey and bats

- Invasive Species Treatment with substantial quantities of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam having to be dealt with 

- Awarded the Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award in 2017 by Engineers Ireland and also received the award for Excellence in Civil Engineering Under €2m at the 2018 Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Awards