Construction of city bypass to begin in April

WATERFORD’S Mayor Cllr Hilary Quinlan has welcomed news that work on the N25 Waterford bypass will begin in April this year.

Contractors were announced last month for what Transport Minister Martin Cullen described as the most significant Waterford infrastructure project ever.

Welcoming the decision, the mayor said it was a huge boost to the city.

“This news starts 2006 very positively for the people of Waterford. For years, the main route through the city has been along the quays with traffic slow.

“This new route will improve access to the city for business and leisure and will enable everybody to enjoy the attractions of our developing gateway.”

The bypass will consist of a dual carriageway 23km in length, a cable-stayed bridge spanning the River Suir at 475m in length and 4km of single lane carriageway.

In addition, there will be 11km of side roads and tie-ins along with 2km of rail realignment.

The new bridge will be similar to the eye-catching cable-stay bridge in Dundalk.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has selected a contractor for the route and, subject to final details being confirmed, Celtic Roads Group will begin work on the route in April.

NRA head of corporate affairs Michael Egan says the bypass will begin in the vicinity of Kilmeaden to the west of the city, crossing the River Suir at Grannagh and tying in with the existing N25 to the east of Slieverue village.

The project includes a new connection, known as the Western Link, which connects the bypass to industrial areas to the south-west of the city and links the N9 and N24 to the Grannagh interchange.

The major Woodstown Viking Site, uncovered as part of an archaeological dig, will be preserved and remain untouched during work on the route.