Minister for Transport visits North Quays
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan met with Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford Council, Grace O’Sullivan MEP, Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD, Mary Butler TD, Senator John Cummins, Cllr Cristíona Kiely and Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Jody Power. Photo: Patrick Browne
On Friday, May 31, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, visited Waterford’s North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) site.
With works significantly advanced on the site, Minister Ryan viewed the progress on the public infrastructure works, including the multi-modal access routes, public transport hub and sustainable transport bridge.
The new state-of-the-art transport hub will be unique in Ireland and will put Waterford at the forefront of integrated and sustainable city centre transport infrastructure.
The sustainable transport bridge will link the reallocated train station to new walking and cycling infrastructure. These works aim to reduce the reliance on private cars and facilitate alternative modes of transport for those accessing the city centre through the delivery of enhanced and integrated sustainable and active travel infrastructure.
During his visit, Minister Ryan, TD, said, “I was in Waterford for the ground-breaking ceremony for the North Quays in March of last year.
"The scale of the works and the progression of the project in such a short time is to be commended."
He added, “This development, one of the largest of all 35 Pathfinder Projects to deliver sustainable mobility and public transport projects, is transformational for Waterford and the surrounding areas, fulfilling the vision of delivering a sustainable, attractive and liveable city that builds on Waterford’s reputation as the Best Place to Live.”
The infrastructure, along with the new foul and stormwater pumping stations in Ferrybank, which was recently completed, will enable the commercial development on the SDZ site by Harcourt Developments.
Plans also include offices, residential, retail, accommodation, and tourism investment in conference/exhibition facilities, as well as a four-star hotel and visitor centre, all of which will be developed to be sustainable, high-quality and climate resilient.
The Minister met with Michael Walsh on the last day of his term as Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, Paul Johnston Acting Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council, Grace O’Sullivan MEP, Oireachtas members Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD, Mary Butler TD and Senator John Cummins, along with Councillors Cristíona Kiely and Jody Power.
Welcoming the Minister, Michael Walsh said, “The progress of this publicly funded project is evident. This development has sent a ripple of excitement through Waterford and the region.
“The end result will not only be transformative for Waterford and the region, but it will also give connectivity and balance to the city, as both sides of the River Suir will be optimised in terms of energy, community spirit and commercial activity.”
The public infrastructure works are funded with a public investment of €207 million, including €100.6 million of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding and a further €70 million from Minister Ryan’s Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA).
It is just over a year since construction works commenced on the North Quays main contract, and representatives from the project recently commented that works are continuing to progress well and remain on schedule to be completed in 2025.
