Kildare company wins contract for Town Enhancement Project
17th October 2018
A KILDARE company has been awarded the contract to carry out work on the much anticipated Tullamore Town Enhancement Project.
12 companies tendered for the job and it was David Walsh, Civil Engineering, which was successful. The same company carried out the Watermains Rehabilitation in the town in 2014/2015.
The €3m project will begin on January 7, 2019, however, the council will need to apply for further funding to finish it. According to Councillor Tommy McKeigue, the council will seek an extra €1m and will probably get €500,000. However, €3m is expected to cover the bulk of the work.
Tullamore Municipal District will hold an open day on Wednesday November 21. This will give people and businesses an opportunity to view the schedule of works.
Councillor Tony McCormack welcomed the start date. ''It will allow Christmas to go on uninterrupted. It's also fantastic to have the open day on the 21st','' he said.
Councillor Danny Owens said he was delighted that we ''finally have a start date. Well done to everyone on the staff. It's important to remember people doing business and I'm delighted we are having an open day,'' he added.
Councillor Dervill Dolan said it was a good news story. ''It's been a long time starting.'' He commented that there had been fairly robust engagement from the people of the town who had made valid contributions. ''I hope it will benefit everyone.'' He appealed to the director of services Tom Shanahan, to have an ''open mind'' on November 21. ''If for example some business person asked if something could be left until three weeks later. Be flexible if possible,'' he urged. In addition Cllr Dolan said it was important to send out the message that there will be major disruptions. ''But we have to step up to the plate. It has to happen,'' he said.
Tom Shanahan agreed there will be major disruption but he said it will be done on a phased basis. And the council would try to cause as little disruption as possible.
Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Declan Harvey, congratulated David Walsh Engineering, saying the company knowns the town well and did a good job on the watermains rehabilitation He reiterated his call to ''do the town first,'' and leave O'Connor Square until last.