7 February 2007
DIVERSION TO FACILITATE BELFAST SEWERS PROJECT
The junction of Corporation Street and Corporation Square will close on 18 February for approximately 26 months to facilitate the Belfast Sewers Project.
This road closure will enable the construction of an essential access shaft which is part this massive £100 million upgrade of the city's sewerage system.
Bill Gowdy, Project Manager, Water Service said: "Water Service will use specialist 'no dig' technology to ensure that the majority of the project's tunnelling work will progress without the need to dig up Belfast's roads. The Project Team wishes to minimise traffic disruption and has liaised closely with Roads Service at all stages of the project, to develop a comprehensive traffic management strategy.
"For motorists currently using Corporation Street to access Belfast city centre from the north of the city and the M2 Motorway, a diversion route will be put in place along Nelson Street and York Street. Temporary traffic management will be in operation at the signalised junctions of Dock Street / Corporation Street and Dock Street / Nelson Street to maintain traffic flow during the busiest times.
"Additionally, the current one-way system and bus lane on the northern section of Corporation Street will be temporarily removed to allow access for properties and businesses along this route, including Clarendon Dock Business Park.
"Properties and businesses located to the north of the junction of Corporation Street / Corporation Square, including Clarendon Dock Business Park, will only be accessible from the Dock Street end of Corporation Street."
A full public information programme will be carried out with the properties and businesses in the area to make sure that they are fully aware of the diversions and access requirements.
The £100 million Belfast Sewers Project will provide Belfast with a modern sewerage system to meet the city's existing and future development needs. Details of the Belfast Sewers Project can be found on the Water Service website www.waterni.gov.uk or by contacting Waterline on 08457 440088.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Belfast Sewers Project involves work to upgrade the existing sewer networks and the construction of a large diameter drainage tunnel to increase stormwater capacity. A contract to upgrade the sewer network was started in 2005. There are approximately 1,800 km of sewers covering a catchment area of 42 square kilometres. The older central area of Belfast is currently served by two large diameter brick sewers dating from 1888 and a third concrete sewer was commissioned in the 1970's. The tunnelling work is the final part of the Belfast Sewers Project and will provide the required increased capacity in the sewerage system.
- The implementation of this project will result in the closure of a significant number of the existing combined sewer overflows, which will reduce the pollutant load from the sewerage system on the River Lagan and its tributaries by 85% of present levels.
- The route of the tunnels was determined by ground conditions, the availability of sites for the tunnel shafts, and other logistical constraints.
- The Contractor for the project is joint venture company Morgan=Farrans.
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