• Introduction
• Project Conception
• Route Selection
• Partnership Agreement
• Construction Contract
• Compulsory Purchase Order
• Environmental Impact Statement
• Bridge Order
• Foreshore License / Lease
• Toll Scheme
• Project Description
• Financial Aspects

The Project:

Description

This project was included in the announcement of pilot PPP projects on 1st June 1999. The scheme includes a new river crossing, a cable stay bridge with an overall length of approximately 475 m, of the River Suir in the vicinity of Grannagh, i.e. close to the location of the existing N24/N9 Junction to the North West of Waterford City. The by-pass commences in the vicinity of Kilmeaden to the West of the City, crosses the River Suir at Grannagh and ties 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 By-Pass to industrial areas to the South West of the City, the Southern Ring Road and links of the N9 and N24 to the Grannagh Interchange. The scheme construction includes approximately 23 km of dual carriageway and 14 km of single carriageway.

During the course of pre-contract archaeological testing undertaken on the scheme a significant at an archaeological site known as - the "Woodstown Site" was discovered along the route corridor. The site was declared a national monument and the minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued archaeological directions providing for the site to be preserved. This necessitated a revised alignment for a section of the route.

The Woodstown site appears to represent a defended, riverside settlement, with associated industrial activity. The artifacts and the radiocarbon dates taken together confirm the site most likely dates to the early medieval period c. 9th century to early 12th century AD. Indications are that the Norse possibly used an existing settlement of native Irish origin. The site was discovered during the course of pre-contract archaeological testing undertaken on the scheme.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued archaeological directions for the Woodstown site on the 11th May 2005. The Minister's directions provide that the archaeological site is to be preserved and this necessitates a revised alignment for a section of the route.