A ROAD CLOSURE and traffic diversions will be in place until the middle of the summer in north Dublin to facilitate works on ageing water mains.

Uisce Éireann will begin work next Monday, 16 February, on a new €25 million water pipeline in the Clontarf area.

A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann said the North City Arterial Main (NCAM) project will “significantly improve resilience and long-term water security across north Dublin city”.

Construction of the first phase of works will take place from Causeway Road to Bayside Boulevard, including Greendale Road and Thornville Road.

This will involve 2.5km of new water main along James Larkin Road/Dublin Road, as well as 1.1km of new water main along Greendale Road, Thornville Road and Kilbarrack Parade. 

But to facilitate these works, the southbound lane on James Larkin Road will close from Monday, 16 February, until mid-summer.

The closure will operate on a 24/7 basis for the full duration of the works, with traffic diversions in place via Howth Road and Watermill Road.

Access for residents, businesses and emergency services will be maintained throughout. 

Programme Manager Jessica Dale remarked that “we fully understand that traffic restrictions can be frustrating, and we are committed to minimising disruption wherever possible”.

She added that the works are “essential” and have been “planned carefully to reduce local impact as much as possible”.

“We are working closely with Dublin City Council, emergency services, public transport operators including Dublin Bus, and refuse collection companies, and we will keep the community updated as works progress,” said Dale.

She added that Uisce Éireann recently issued updates directly to residents most impacted by the works.

Uisce Éireann added that it “understands this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause”. 

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann said the NCAM will also provide the additional network capacity required to enable the delivery of 12,000 new homes.

This project involves the installation of a new high pressure trunk water main designed to significantly reinforce the water distribution network in north Dublin city.

By integrating with the existing arterial water network, the new main will establish a “stronger, more robust, and more direct path from reservoir to tap”.

Uisce Éireann said this “enhanced interconnectivity will significantly reduce the risk of interruption to supply to 160,000 properties across the Dublin region”.

The upgrade is part of an ongoing investment in water services in the Greater Dublin Area.

Uisce Éireann noted that “much of the existing water network was originally developed to serve around 500,000 people” but that today, it supports around two million.

“Investment of this scale is essential to future‑proof the system, address pressure on ageing infrastructure, and ensure a reliable supply for a growing population,” said Uisce Éireann.

Minister for Housing James Browne remarked that “continued investment in public water services is critical to facilitating housing delivery, and to the development of cities and towns throughout Ireland”.

Meanwhile, Dale said the project is “central to strengthening resilience in North Dublin’s water network”.

“As our population grows, we need modern, reliable infrastructure to safeguard supply, support new housing, and underpin economic development.

“These works are critical to ensuring that north Dublin city has the water capacity it needs — not just for today, but for generations and homes to come.”