Double award delight for two RPS projects at The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland

We’re proud to announce we’ve won not one, but two awards at The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI).

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

And to add to the celebrations, Daly’s (Shakey) Bridge in Cork was winner of the Structural (Small/ Medium) Project of the Year award.

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

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

Since early 2018, over 13,000 residents have been on a ‘boil water’ notice, due to insufficient treatment. The team implemented a process called chloramination, that required the addition of small amounts of ammonia to the chlorinated water, which formed a long-lasting chloramine disinfectant.

A landmark ruling in May 2019 saw Sligo County Council grant planning permission for the upgrade of the existing Water Treatment Plant. This was the first project in Ireland to gain permission using the Habitats Directive Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI) process.

The upgrade to the plant resulted in all residents being removed from the notice, and the scheme itself being withdrawn from the Environmental Protection Agency’s remedial action list.

PJ Griffin, Technical Director – Water and RWSS project lead, said: “The RWSS project is a great example of our civil engineering quality. This award win illustrates the quality of work completed by staff, and the value we deliver for our clients. Congratulations to the team.”

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

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

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

The team had to design and construct the bridge under significant constraints, such as working over and adjacent to an environmentally sensitive and tidal watercourse with advanced corrosion and damage to the existing structure.

But by successfully utilising structural models and measurements, and in order to monitor the natural frequency and vibration response of the bridge during and following the works, the team were able to retain the shake of the bridge and keep the historic landmark intact.

Michael Minehane, Principal Engineer – Bridges and project lead, comments: “The work we’ve done on Daly’s Bridge shows a real strength in capability, and we’re delighted to have created an award-winning piece of work. The project is a real testament to the power of engineering and how it can lift the human spirit, especially during recent times.”

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