The estimated cost of new flood defences in Galway has increased to €80 million, as the timeframe for completion of the project has been further extended.
The 60% increase in costs has been attributed to the scale of the measures involved and the impact of inflation in the construction sector.
It's now envisaged that construction work on Corrib go Cósta/Galway Flood Relief scheme would not finish until mid 2033.
Planners say the defences will be technically viable, environmentally sustainable and will integrate into the character and heritage of the city.
They would comprise a total of 6.5 kilometres of flood defence walls, along with 1.4 kilometres of earth embankments and ground raising measures.
A total of 50 flood gates and eight surface water pumping stations also form part of the latest designs to be presented to the public.
The "emerging preferred scheme" is being outlined at a series of meetings in the city over the coming days.
The flood defence walls would generally be 1.1 metres in height and would be augmented in certain locations with "demountable" barriers, which would be deployed during flood events.
The bulk of these would run from Blackrock in Salthill, into the city centre and on towards Galway Harbour.
Additional protections will also be installed around Terryland and west of Salthill, with other safeguards on sections of the Eglington Canal.
The overall design is intended to protect against one in 200 year coastal flooding events and one in 100 year river flooding events.
When completed, planners say the measures would prevent over 800 homes and 200 businesses from being flooded.
The latest designs envisage a mix of solutions along the route.
They include the construction of flood defence walls along the Salthill Promenade, Claddagh Quay and in the Fish Market/Spanish Arch area.
In most instances the walls are set back from the coastline, to preserve existing vistas while, at the same time, ensuring no properties could be inundated with water.
The construction of a 1.1 metre wall on Claddagh Quay would necessitate a one-way system for southbound traffic, as it would be erected in the middle of the existing road.
The Fish Market would be raised by just over half a metre, with a flood defence wall of a similar height bordering this area.
Ground raising would also be carried out on the Long Walk, with both a flood defence wall and demountable defences planned.
Galway City Council, the Office of Public Works and consultants from the Arup engineering firm will consider submissions on the latest proposals, before selecting a final preferred design.
It’s envisaged that a formal planning application will be submitted in late 2028, with construction forecasted to begin in mid 2030.
