WATCH: Significant progress made on €200m North Quays project in Waterford city

In its latest update, Waterford City and County Council says significant progress was made on the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project over the summer months.

The project, which will cost in excess of €200 million,  includes a public transport hub including the relocation of Waterford train station to the North Quays and a sustainable transport bridge, which will link the relocated train station to new walking and cycling infrastructure. 

According to the council, the permanent river works for the sustainable transport bridge are now reaching completion. "The construction cofferdams are now being cut back, revealing the concrete piers and abutments above the waterline. Temporary bridge supports are being installed in the water which will assist with the installation of the bridge deck, and a permanent bridge protection system also needs to be installed in the water to protect the bridge piers from potential future collisions from river vessels," said a spokesperson.

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"The steel deck superstructure for the sustainable transport bridge is being fabricated and fitted out at Victor Buyck Steel Construction’s production plant in Ghent, Belgium. This process also involves global supply chains for the precision engineering of mechanical components that will control the lifting and closing of the opening spans of the bridge. The fabrication of the deck sections has now been completed, shot blasted and painted and the various mechanical components have been delivered from across the globe for final fit out in Ghent over the coming months," they added.

As part of the project, five new access bridges will provide multi-modal access over the existing rail and new greenway corridors providing connectivity between the Ferrybank area, the Greenway corridor, Public Transport Hub, Sustainable Transport Bridge, the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) development and the City Centre.

"The construction of the Transport Hub has reached roof level and the internal ticketing areas, offices, conveniences and public concourse at first floor level are being progressed. 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. Ground works have also commenced on the new pedestrian access bridge to the west of the Transport Hub," states the latest update.

With Fountain Street roadworks nearing completion, the new realigned Abbey Road is taking shape with access to a new dedicated school access lane and set down area for Our Lady of Good Counsel National School.  New entrance walls and gates are currently being constructed with a new staff parking area and play courts also being provided.

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The local authority says the construction of a new railway flood defence system will commence towards the end of this year.  This system, it says, is critical to protect and future proof the existing and new rail infrastructure from the increasing impacts of climate change and to ensure climate resilient commuter and freight rail services into the future for Waterford and the South East region. 

When completed, the public infrastructure will also enable the commercial development on the SDZ Site by Harcourt Developments, which will include offices, residential, retail, accommodation, and tourism investment in conference/exhibition facilities, as well as a 4-star hotel and visitor’s centre. 

The development places a significant emphasis on improving the public realm through investment in new civic spaces, high-quality transport infrastructure and pedestrian and cycling facilities which will connect Waterford City Centre and the Southeast greenways.