Waterford's sustainable transport bridge superstructure arriving next week

The sustainable transport bridge steel superstructure is due to arrive in Waterford this month, marking a significant milestone for the North Quays project.

The structure will be departing from the Victor Buyck factory in Ghent, Belgium, on May 17, subject to final technical checks and weather.

It is due to arrive at Dunmore East on May 22, will progress up river on May 23 and installation will start on May 26.

The bridge will open to the public in quarter four of 2026 and a naming process will then be announced.

The slender superstructure has been architecturally designed with a curved soffit on the underside, and varying width along its length to allow for viewing/resting areas.

The superstructure has been fabricated in four sections, which will be supported on the four concrete piers already constructed in the river.

The bridge has a central opening bascule span to facilitate river traffic. The operation and control of the central opening span has required the manufacture and assembly of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical components and instrumentation.

The four bridge sections will be transported on two barges pulled by seagoing tugboats. Victor Buyck’s plant is located beside the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, which accesses out to the North Sea. 

The deck sections will be loaded onto barges, transported along the canal to the mouth of Antwerp Port and from there on open sea via the North Sea, English Channel and Celtic Sea to Waterford Estuary.

The tugboats will then transport the barges up the Waterford Estuary, past Dunmore East and Passage East to their first mooring point at Belview Port.

“The transport, lifting and installation of the four steel deck sections is a complex logistical and engineering challenge,” a spokesperson from Waterford Council said.

“The timelines for the operation are subject to change and disruption depending on conditions on the open seas."