[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=541

Malahide Viaduct on schedule for November reopening by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann has said that excellent progress is being made in the reinstatement of the Malahide Viaduct, with the line on schedule to be reopened, with full services resuming, before the end of November at the very latest.

Already, major phases of the works are well advanced, including:

- the reinstatement of the weir, the erosion of which lead to the Viaduct accident, is well advanced

- the 4th pier has been reinstated, with new pre-stressed concrete beams now being placed into position: these will shortly be topped with the concrete bridge deck, which is in situ

- reinforcement of the other piers on the Viaduct through piling is underway

When structural work is complete, the track infrastructure will then be reinstated to allow for resumption of rail services.

The company very much looks forward to the resumption of full Northern line commuter and Belfast Enterprise services before the end of November.

The project has taken advantage of expert opinion throughout, in the areas of hydraulics and environmental issues, soil mechanics, and scour prevention, and designs have been independently assessed by consulting engineers, and the Railway Safety Commission.

The Malahide Viaduct accident occurred on the evening of Friday 21st August, when sea-bed erosion caused the 4th pier on the viaduct to collapse.

Iarnród Éireann’s investigation into the accident is continuing, as is that of the Rail Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport.

Alternative services have operated since the accident for commuters who use the line. Full details are available here. http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=501

Iarnród Éireann thanks customers for the patience they have shown and their cooperation with the alternative services, and apologises for the major disruption to rail services during this time.