Tunnel Breakthrough For Belfast

Capable of holding vast overflows of stormwater - up to four million gallons - it will reduce the risk of sewer flooding in the greater Belfast area.

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the major milestone for the £100million Belfast Sewers Project.

Speaking on site the Minister said: "Today's breakthrough is a key milestone in this vital project. The scheme represents a commitment to providing Belfast with a sewerage network that has been designed by the highest industry standards to last well in to the 21st century. This system will accommodate the expanding city and its drainage needs, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and reducing the risk of pollution to the River Lagan."

This section of tunnel is the longest completed stretch of the Belfast Sewers Project, which when finished will comprise a six mile tunnel from Cromac Street to Duncrue Street, with a network of tributary tunnels. The project is one of the biggest civil engineering infrastructure projects in the UK.

The NI Water scheme will provide the greater Belfast area with a modern sewerage system by 2009 to replace a 19th century sewer network which can no longer cope with the needs of the expanding city.