Anticipation as massive engineering superstructure set to arrive in Kilkenny

A 207 metre-long bridge is scheduled to be transported in four sections by sea-going barges from Ghent to Belview Port in County Kilkenny, and ultimately to the Waterford North Quays site, later this month.

The delivery schedule is subject to final inspections as well as weather and sea conditions.

Once transported from County Kilkenny to Waterford, the rigging, lifting and installation procedures for the bridge will take around a week to complete. 

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The bascule leaves for the opening central span will be tested and put into operation and finishing works, which include lighting, street furniture, and parapets, will commence once the bridge is installed and checked. 

The fast-tracking of integration works as part of construction of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) will facilitate the opening of the bridge to the public in Q4, 2026. Details of a bridge naming public consultation will be announced shortly.

The public infrastructure project is being developed ahead of the private SDZ development and the built interface between the two developments must be fully integrated and compatible.

The planning, design and construction of the public infrastructure project has therefore needed to be responsive to evolving progress and proposals for the private development in order to ensure proper management of the overall North Quays project and to de-risk the overall project in terms of cost and programme.

In April, Waterford City and County Council granted planning permission to Harcourt Developments (t/a Hopcast Limited) for the development of the first phase of the North Quays SDZ.

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The mixed-use development will include significant residential accommodation, as well as office and hotel accommodation, retail offerings and high-quality public realm spaces consisting of:

350 residential units
​​Office accommodation including ground floor creche and retail
160-bedroom hotel and conference centre
163-room aparthotel
Retail units on ground floor of residential blocks
High quality public realm spaces to include public plazas, riverside boardwalk and greenway.

The SDZ development places a significant emphasis on connecting the north and south quays and improving the public realm through investment in new high quality civic spaces.

The direct benefit to Waterford and South Kilkenny of the investment in the SDZ Site is anticipated to be in excess of €350m over the next six years, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development.

Works are continuing in Ferrybank on the realigned Abbey Road and Dock Road and these projects are due to be complete in July and October 2025 respectively.

The transport hub in Ferrybank is also progressing well, with mechanical and electrical installation, platforms and landscaping ongoing.  

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Works to the platforms and rail track are continuing and the internal building fit out and external public entrance plaza at Dock Road will commence in the coming months. 

The transport hub is expected to be fully complete by Q2, 2026 with final commissioning and opening by Irish Rail in early 2027.

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