A €15 million upgrade of the runway at Shannon Airport has been completed eight weeks ahead of schedule.
Major renovation work on the 2,400m-long runway has been taking place during night hours on five nights of the week since last May, so as not to disrupt the air traffic schedule.
Work was due to continue until the end of November, but has now been completed ahead of time and under budget.
90 people were employed on the project, which included the full rehabilitation of the runway surface, the replacement of runway edge and centre line lighting with energy efficient lighting, ducting and other works.
It is only the second major refurbishment of the country’s longest runway since it was built in 1961.
The work was carried out by Lagan Asphalt Group which at the peak of construction laid the equivalent of one football pitch of refurbished runway surface every night.
The company was also involved in the recently completed new M18/M17 motorway between Gort and Tuam in Co Galway.
Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas said the runway is the main artery of Shannon Airport and has been one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the southwest since its construction in 1961.
It provides a crucial link to the global community and has facilitated the growth of Irish tourism and business in the region for over 55 years.