A monumental week for Waterford
The Hebo 9 sheerleg crane has been in the process of lifting each bridge section from its barge at Frank Cassin Wharf and transporting them upstream to their installation positions at the bridge. Image: Peter Grogan
Hundreds of locals gathered across the week on the sun basked city quayside to witness the highly complex lifting and installation of Waterford's new sustainable transport bridge.
With the arrival of the enormous Hebo 9 floating sheerleg crane and the four spans of the Sustainable Transport Bridge earlier last week, the much anticipated lifting and placing of the bridge commenced.
The lifting of the spans is a detailed and precise manoeuvre, described by Waterford Council as ‘a construction operation without precedent in Waterford.’
The Hebo 9 sheerleg crane has been in the process of lifting each bridge section from its barge at Frank Cassin Wharf and transporting them upstream to their installation positions at the bridge.
There are four spans in total to be installed.
A calm river and delicate skies allowed for the first two spans, each 65 metres in length, to be lifted and placed without a hitch earlier in the week.
Due to changing conditions however, the lifting of the final two smaller spans was paused.
Waterford City and County said in a statement: "There will now be a pause before the last two sections are lifted into place awaiting favourable weather conditions. Health and safety is the highest priority for all those working on this project."
The lift of the southern approach span of the bridge is expected to take place on Tuesday, May 27.
“There is an abundance of caution for an operation of this scale, and lift times are contingent on weather conditions which are being monitored closely, and lift times may be subject to change," a council spokesperson said.
The historic feat of engineering was visited upon by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD last week, alongside Ministers John Cummins and Mary Butler.
The three gathered to take a glimpse of the works from the south quays plaza public realm on Meagher's quay, which is currently also under construction.
Speaking to local media during the visit, Minister Browne, who has previously lived in Waterford, said it was “a momentous occasion” for the city and county: "It’s wonderful to be here today in Waterford City for what I think is a huge momentous occasion for the installation of this multi modal bridge, a superstructure which I think is really helping to transform the regeneration of this wonderful city."
"It’s a really important day and we’re looking forward to even more projects happening here in Waterford city," he added.
Minister John Cummins added that the project has overcome significant barriers to get to where it currently stands: “If I think back to 2016 when this project was designated as an SDZ, we’ve overcome many hurdles over the last number of years to get to this point.”
Meanwhile Minister Mary Butler reflected on the excitement felt by locals throughout the week, as a steady flow of crowds gathered at William Vincent Wallace Plaza and along the quay to watch the engineering marvel.
"The positivity and the excitement of the people of Waterford its palpable at the moment when you see the bridge going into place," she said.
"Over the last two years have been spent doing the work under the water but now we’re seeing the bridge go into place, its visible and its really, really exciting and positive."
Upon completion the bridge will predominantly serve the six residential blocks which will be constructed as part of the overall north quays development
Looking towards the delivery of the 350 housing units within the blocks, Minister Cummins said that negotiations to determine the exact amount of social or affordable units which will be available within the blocks will take place:
"They’re all negotiations to happen. The developer is engaged with the council and with the land development agency I relation to that” he said.
Minister Browne added that in terms of housing, the six blocks will add to Waterford's recent housing progress: "I think Waterford city and county have actually been really strong as has Wexford. They're two counties that have been exemplary in terms of what we can do. If I had every county across Ireland delivering what Waterford and Wexford are delivering we would be absolutely making substantial inroads.
"We’re going to work with every local authority to deliver even more homes and I know Waterford and Wexford are both ambitious."
Minister Browne also spoke briefly during the visit on Waterford Airport, describing the project as "really important"
"Myself coming from Wexford, I always want to see Waterford doing really well. It’s a city I lived in for seven years, I went to college here and I have great fond memories of Waterford city so I'm always looking to what we as a government can do collectively to deliver and work for Waterford city, the biggest city in the south east region."
“What I always love about Waterford is they’re always looking for more and rightly so."
