We are proud to announce that we have won not one, but two awards from the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI).

Awarded Civil Engineering Project of the Year last month, the Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Program (RWSS) in County Sligo has been described as an outstanding example of civil engineering.

And to add to the celebrations, the Daly (Shakey) Bridge in Cork took home the award for Structural Project (Small / Medium) of the Year.

The Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) – ACEI Engineering Excellence Award Winner – Civilian Project of the Year

The project was completed in 2020, but hydrological and geological investigations were carried out on site over several years. What the team found was a potential impact on the Lough Hoe Special Area of ​​Conservation (SAC) which occurred during prolonged dry weather.

Since the start of 2018, more than 13,000 inhabitants have been ordered to boil water due to insufficient treatment. The team implemented a process called chloramination, which involved adding small amounts of ammonia to the chlorinated water, which formed a long-lasting chloramine-based disinfectant.

A landmark decision in May 2019 saw Sligo County Council grant a building permit for the upgrade of the existing water treatment plant. This was the first project in Ireland to obtain clearance using the Habitats Directive‘s IROPI (Compulsory Reasons for Outstanding Public Interest) process.

The factory upgrade resulted in the removal of all residents from the notice and the removal of the program itself from the Environmental Protection Agency‘s corrective action list.

PJ Griffin, Technical Director – Water and RWSS Project Manager, said: “The RWSS project is a great example of our quality civil engineering. This award illustrates the quality of the work done by the staff and the value we provide to our customers. Congratulations to the team. ”

Daly Bridge (Shakey) – ACEI Engineering Excellence Award Winner – Structural Project (Small / Medium) of the Year

Renowned for its iconic structure and signature ‘shake’, the now award-winning Daly Bridge in Cork has been restored by RPS for future generations to use and enjoy.

Providing a pedestrian route on the North Channel of the River Lee between Sunday’s Well and Fitzgerald Park in the Mardyke district of Cork City, the bridge was a unique and complex project, as it had significant damage and required repair and rehabilitation imminent.

The team had to design and build the bridge under significant stress, such as working on and next to an environmentally sensitive and tidal stream with advanced corrosion and damage to the existing structure.

But by successfully using structural models and measurements, and in order to monitor the natural frequency and vibrational response of the bridge during and after the work, the team was able to preserve the bridge’s tremor and keep the historic monument intact.

Michael Minehane, Senior Engineer – Bridges and Project Manager, comments: “The work we have done on the Daly Bridge shows real strength in terms of capability, and we are delighted to have created award-winning work. The project is a true testament to the power of engineering and how it can uplift the human spirit, especially in recent times. ”

Find out more about our Civil Engineering services