Contributing Writer rail@bauermedia.co.uk
THE first phase of the Foynes rail project is on schedule to be completed on time for delivery by 2024’s fourth quarter, an Iarnród Éireann programme manager has confirmed to RAIL.
Giving an update on the project, IÉ confirmed all the existing track on the 42km (26-mile) route had been removed for disposal by early October.
In addition, 2.4km of track on the mothballed cement factory Castlemungret line, which runs parallel to the route from Limerick, has been removed and will be relaid.
Work continues to remove vegetation within the railway boundaries, and to erect new fencing. Substantial clearance has been completed between Adare and Foynes, and it is expected that the rest of line to Limerick will be totally cleared by the end of the year.
A combination of new fencing is being installed, including 16,000 metres of wire fencing using concrete posts, and 1,600 metres using wooden posts. In addition, 2km of specialist horse fencing has been installed near stud farms, while on the approaches to Limerick City and Foynes, 2km of palisade fencing has been erected.
New drainage is being installed where required. And despite the unseasonably high rainfall, the route’s existing drainage has been found to be in good condition. Part of the work includes re-routing a fibre optic cable installed on the line between Limerick and Ballingrane in the late 1990s.
By the end of October, installation of the signalling and cabling duct routes on both sides of the trackbed had started. Ballast and aggregates, and piping continues to be delivered to all lineside compounds.
The route has 24,000 concrete sleepers from Germany already delivered and distributed to compounds along the line, in advance of track laying. A third shipment of sleepers arrived by ship at Foynes on October 23.
The lifting out of all five structures that need to be replaced or removed for refurbishment has been completed. The three-span Deel viaduct was lifted out of place on September 6 for assessment and repair on site. Adare’s three-span Maigue viaduct was lifted out over September 13/14 and moved to a compound nearby.
Both structures will be repaired and reinstated. A planning application submitted to raise the River Maigue bridge by one metre,
