The Ministry of State, with Kieran O’Donnell at the helm handling the affairs of the Office of Public Works (OPW), gave the green light on Monday for Limerick City & County Council to initiate the process of selection for a contractor to take on the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme. Set to begin this coming fall, the extensive flood relief project estimated to cost €26 million is expected to safeguard 528 properties situated alongside the river Shannon from substantial flooding by the close of 2026, declared the OPW.
The blueprint of this large-scale scheme includes the creation of fresh earthen flood ramparts, brand-new walls, restoration and upgrading works on the existing quay walls, updates to pavements and public spaces, drainage and utility procedures, preservation mitigation, as well as archaeological and ecological mitigation.
A decade ago, the King’s Island and St Mary’s Park areas bore the brunt of severe flooding, resulting in evacuations of many residents from their inundated homes. It was a calamity of such magnitude that the Defence Forces had to be called in to provide assistance to the locals during the flood that struck in February 2014.
Accompanying the announcement of the scheme on Monday, Minister O’Donnell highlighted the substantial government investment in Limerick city, asserting that besides shielding the residents and their properties on King’s Island, the project will considerably upgrade public spaces and enhance the architectural legacy of this historical segment of the city.
In the wake of the 2014 disaster, locals suffered significant losses, including cars, furniture, cherished family snapshots, pets, and homes that had to undergo renovation. King’s Island inhabitant Raymond O’Carroll hailed the upcoming project as an exceptional step forward, especially amid the challenges brought about by climate change and the prevailing weather conditions. O’Carroll expressed his belief in the immense potential of the scheme to protect the residents, especially the elderly who were significantly affected by the 2014 catastrophe.
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