N25 Waterford City Bypass Opened – 19 October 2009

The N25 Waterford City Bypass was officially opened on Monday 19th of  October by Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
The scheme commences at Kilmeaden west of Waterford City, crosses the River Suir and ties in with the existing N25 (Rosslare to Cork route)  east of Slieverue in Co. Kilkenny. One of the project’s main features is the cable-stayed bridge crossing the River Suir at Grannagh.

The project was funded under the National Development Plan and through private finance raised by the PPP Co. (Celtic Roads Group).

The new Bypass will:

• Reduce traffic levels on the City’s quays by 30% 
• Shave 20 minutes off peak journey- times on N25 Rosslare/Cork route
• Reduce cross City journey times
• Cater for 14,000 vehicles per day, 10% of which it is estimated will be heavy goods vehicles
• Provide 23km dual carriageway standard road
• Allow traffic at the N24/N9 junction to the north west of Waterford City and N25 Cork–Rosslare to bypass the City

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: "This new gateway to Waterford heralds a new beginning for Waterford and for the South East. The new cable-stayed bridge and Waterford City Bypass together with the Waterford to Dublin Motorway will transform travel in the whole Region resulting in shorter journey times and safer road conditions. Upon opening, approximately 14,000 vehicles per day will use the Waterford Bypass. This will reduce traffic volumes currently using Rice Bridge, having the effect of removing some 10,000 to12, 000 vehicles per day from the city quays. This will have the added benefit of allowing us to rejuvenate our city along the quays to the maximum commercial advantage.”

Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority, said: “The bypass will breathe new life into the City for residents and the Region as a whole, allowing business and industry to operate more efficiently. City dwellers, visitors and tourists will enjoy a more pleasant, healthier and safer environment.The new Suir Bridge at Grannagh is the longest cable- stayed bridge in the State and was built to complement its environment. It is an impressive structure and I am sure it will become a focal point for the people of Waterford.

The early delivery of this Public Private Partnership scheme clearly demonstrates the benefits brought by the private sector in accelerating the delivery of the roads programme.”   
The estimated cost of design, construction and operation of the bypass is in excess of half a billion euro. The Exchequer contribution was €255m in respect of land, planning & design, advance contracts, supervision, archaeology and construction grants.

Further scheme details:

• The new Suir Bridge is the State’s longest cable-stayed bridge (465m long with a span of 230m)
• The contractor was Celtic Roads Group (Waterford) Ltd. comprising BAM PPP bv, Iridium and NTR plc.
• The scheme forms part of the Government’s development strategy under the National Devlopment Plan’s, Transport 21 Programme, for the Atlantic Road Corridor that stretches from Waterford to Donegal.

Further information is available at
http://www.nra.ie/