Council seeks to allay fears for Killaloe bypass project

AN ASSURANCE has been issued on the delivery of the Killaloe Bypass and Shannon Bridge Crossing, against the backdrop of rising costs in the construction industry. 

The matter was raised at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council on foot of the monthly Management Report. Councillor Pat Burke noted a paragraph referring to the “inflationary cost of building projects” and sought an assurance that the multi-million bridge and bypass are on track. “There is a little bit of concern on the ground,” the Fine Gael member noted. 

Senior Engineer at the Project Management Office, Seán Lenihan agreed that there are a number of challenges facing big infrastructural projects. “Everybody knows about the pressures the construction industry is facing,” he said.

“Our project is no different. This job was priced last August and we concluded negotiations with SISK. I would like to allay any fears. SISK have not withdrawn. The department has not withdrawn any funding. There are some genuine concerns over costs and phasing and sequencing of the work. We are waiting for word from government and discussing what they can do.

“We accept and sympathise with regard to the pressures facing construction globally. There are several issues including Covid, Brexit, Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, as well as super inflation or hyper inflation.”

“SISK is in contract since March 16 and they have 33 months to do the job. We are talking to them and to government. It’s all positive.”