€37m ring road to cut journey times
The Outer Ring Road connects the Williamstown Road to the main Waterford-Cork Road (N25) at Butlerstown and means that traffic can now flow from Waterford Regional Hospital and the nearby residential area to major employment centres on the Cork Road.
The Cork Road is the main industry and educational hub and one of the busiest parts of the outer city. It includes the IDA Industrial Estate and Waterford Institute of Technology.
Built for Waterford City Council in less than two years by Coffey Construction and designed by Carl Bro Ireland under the supervision of the city council’s transportation and infrastructure directorate, the dual carriageway will provide access to the planned Waterford City Bypass (2nd River Crossing), ultimately allowing traffic to complete a circuit from Grannagh, Co Kilkenny, to Waterford Regional Hospital without entering Waterford city centre.
Officially opening the road where he turned the sod in January 2004, Transport Minister, Martin Cullen said: “With the opening of the Outer Ring Road, another key part of Waterford’s road infrastructure is complete.
“The completed Outer Ring Road will now prove the artery for development in this part of the city. Coupled with wider infrastructural improvements, it means day-to-day access has vastly improved and that the necessary road capacity is there to cater for current and future growth. More so, it means the daily journey for road users is easier and safer,” Mr Cullen continued.
Mayor of Waterford Cllr Hilary Quinlan said the road will make an immense difference to the everyday journeys of many people as well as presenting huge opportunities for development on the city’s outskirts.
Waterford city manager Conn Murray said the local authority is very mindful of its role in improving the quality of life of citizens as well as helping to create an environment that is favourable to sustainable economic growth.
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