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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 1

Written Answers. - County Waterford Second Bridge.

Ivan Yates

Question:

79 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the proposals, if any, he has to construct a second bridge in County Waterford; if, in view of the important port developments in the area, he will give an assurance that funding will be included in the next tranche of EC funding for the period 1994 to 1998; and if so, when construction will commence.

I presume the question relates to a proposed high level bridge over the River Suir in Waterford City which was the subject of a bridge order application in the 1970s.

In 1979 Waterford Corporation were advised that the application could not be progressed until information was made available about the acquisition of property that would be required for the construction of the bridge and associated approach roads. It was also suggested to the local authority that the planned replacement of Redmond Bridge, which had become hazardous, would afford an opportunity to review the implications of a high level bridge proposal, particularly in relation to environmental and financial aspects and current and future traffic requirements. The information which would need to be available for presentation at a bridge order inquiry has not yet been furnished by the local authority. At this stage the proposal would also require a formal environmental impact assessment.

In view of the extensive programme of road improvements which have been carried out in the area in the meantime, including the new dual carriageways at Ferrybank and Dock Road, the new Rice Bridge and improvements to the Quay and Manor Street, any proposal for the provision of a further bridge would have to be examined very closely in relation to the likely cost and the benefits to be derived from it.

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