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The M7/M8, approximately 41km of tolled motorway, links the Portlaoise bypass to both the N7 Castletown to Nenagh scheme and the N8 Culahill to Cashel Scheme in Ireland. 48 structures were designed and constructed on the scheme.
Arup was involved in the project from the feasibility stage through to the completion of construction, acting as technical advisor to Laois County Council from the feasibility stage through to the completion of the oral hearing, and latterly to the National Roads Authority during the preparation of the tender documents, the tender stage and the construction of the works on site.
The road opened in June 2010, approximately four months ahead of schedule.
Route and environmental impact
Arup undertook an extensive examination of the various options for the route, including examination of the physical, environmental and planning constraints in collaboration with Laois County Council. An extensive programme of public consultation was undertaken which identified further constraints.
The Environmental Impact Statement was published in December 2003 and the scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála following the oral hearing in 2004.
Arup's commission was extended in 2004 to undertake the preparation of technical schedules for the PPP scheme contract document and to act as lead technical consultant for the NRA during the tender process and the construction phase.
Extensive mitigation measures
There were several sensitive rivers and streams to be crossed by the scheme, and as a result, stringent conditions were mposed.
Arup developed extensive mitigation measures in liaison with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in order to minimise any potential impact on protected species, particularly the Nore Pearl Mussel.
Measures were taken to relocate fauna as part of both the advance works and the main construction works for the scheme.
The PPP contract was awarded to the Celtic Roads Group concession company which comprised Dragados Concesiones de Infraestructuras, BAM Contractors and National Toll Roads.
Arup provided the Authority´s Site Representative who supervised a team of Laois County Council engineers who monitored the works on site. The road opened in June 2010, approximately& our months ahead of schedule.
