New water infrastructure works are getting underway in Galway as Uisce Éireann moves to increase network capacity and support future housing development in the east of the city.
The projects are being delivered through Uisce Éireann’s Accelerated Growth programme, which is designed to provide water and wastewater infrastructure in locations where additional capacity is needed to support housing and wider development.
For Galway, the investment is significant because the availability of essential infrastructure can determine whether land identified for housing can move forward for development. The latest projects will support planned residential development in the Murrough and Ardaun areas.
M10News’ coverage of Ireland housing news has highlighted the importance of infrastructure in increasing housing supply, particularly where development land cannot be fully used without adequate water, wastewater, transport and other services.
New water mains at Ballyloughane Road
The first phase of the latest work will involve the installation of approximately 680 metres of new water mains along Ballyloughane Road.
The mains will run between the Old Dublin Road and the Galway-Dublin railway line.
Uisce Éireann said the work will be carried out by Ward and Burke on its behalf, with construction due to begin in September.
The project is intended to strengthen water infrastructure in the area and provide additional capacity to support future development.
Traffic management measures will be required while the work is taking place. Uisce Éireann said local, emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained, while some works will be carried out at night at locations where traffic flows are heavier, including the junction of the Old Dublin Road and Ballyloughane Road.
Doughiska Road project to follow
Once the Ballyloughane works are completed, Uisce Éireann plans to move to a second project on Doughiska Road.
Approximately 800 metres of new water mains will be installed between the junction with Monivea Road and the turn-off for the Fearann Rí estate.
The new mains are specifically intended to support future housing development planned for the Murrough and Ardaun areas of Galway city.
The works are part of a wider programme of investment aimed at ensuring water infrastructure is available in areas where housing growth is expected.
Ballybane Pumping Station also being upgraded
The programme will also include an upgrade to the Ballybane Pumping Station.
The upgrade will further strengthen the water network serving the city and form part of the wider infrastructure investment being delivered through Uisce Éireann’s growth programme.
The Ballybane works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Coffeys Construction Limited.
Uisce Éireann said the projects are designed to help provide the infrastructure needed for new residential development while supporting the continued growth of Galway.
Galway is one of five cities identified as priority locations for additional investment under the Government’s funding programme for housing-related infrastructure. Uisce Éireann’s national Accelerated Growth programme identifies 72 cities, towns and villages as priority locations for investment, supported by an additional €2 billion in ring-fenced funding under the National Development Plan.
Infrastructure could unlock thousands of homes
The latest water projects form part of a much broader effort to address infrastructure constraints affecting housing delivery in Galway.
In June, Galway City Council announced that it had secured up to €30 million through the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, supporting projects that could potentially unlock land for up to 12,877 homes across the city.
The council said the funding would support infrastructure including roads, water, wastewater and energy services in key growth areas such as Castlegar, Ardaun and Sandy Road.
The council described the infrastructure as critical to activating development land and said the investment would allow essential services to be delivered alongside housing.
That makes the latest Uisce Éireann projects part of a wider infrastructure strategy rather than isolated roadworks. The aim is to remove some of the practical constraints that can prevent housing development from progressing even where land has been identified for residential use.
Galway housing growth faces infrastructure challenge
Galway City Council and other public bodies have been working to increase housing delivery, but the city’s housing growth also depends on infrastructure keeping pace with development.
A Galway Housing Delivery Forum report published earlier this year identified land activation and infrastructure provision among the factors constraining housing delivery across Galway City and County. The forum brought together local authorities, State agencies, utilities, housing bodies, developers and other organisations to examine ways of accelerating construction.
Uisce Éireann’s latest investment therefore addresses one part of that wider challenge.
The new mains at Ballyloughane Road and Doughiska Road will not themselves guarantee that thousands of homes are built. Individual developments will still have to progress through planning and other stages.
But by increasing water network capacity in areas identified for future residential development, the projects are intended to make it easier for housing schemes to move forward as Galway continues to grow.
Read more about Ireland housing news.
