N25 Waterford City Bypass Opens Ahead of Schedule

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 projects main features is the cable-stayed bridge crossing the River Suir at Grannagh.

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 today 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: ‘Four decades of waiting are finally over and now the people of Waterford have the bypass they have been crying out for. It will breathe new life into the City 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 N25 Waterford City Bypass Scheme was funded through private finance raised by the PPP Co. (Celtic Roads Group) and through Government funding under the National Development Plan (NDP), 2007-2013.

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 Transport 21 for the Atlantic Road Corridor that stretches from Waterford to Donegal.

Further information: Sean O’Neill, 086 823 0600 and www.waterfordcity.ie.

N25 Waterford City Bypass List of Maximum Tolls Payable in 2009

The maximum toll charges applicable for the year ending 31st December 2009 inclusive of VAT (21.5%) and rounding to the nearest 10 cent are as follows:

• Motorcycles (exceeding 50cc): €1.00
• Motor Cars: €1.90
• Buses or Coaches: €3.40
• Goods Vehicles with a design gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms: €3.40
• Goods Vehicles with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms and having 2 or 3 axles: €4.80
• Goods Vehicles with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms and having 4 or more axles: €6.10

VAT registered road users can reclaim VAT paid on tolls.