WATCH: Taoiseach opens Ireland’s longest bridge, spanning Kilkenny and Wexford
Ireland’s longest bridge, spanning Kilkenny and Wexford on the new N25 motorway by-pass 15 kilometres outside Waterford city, was officially opened by Taosieach Leo Varadkar today.
The 887-metre long Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge forms part of the new 15km New Ross Bypass Project.
The bridge crosses the River Barrow between Wexford and Kilkenny and forms a major part of the €230 million investment in the South East.
The Taoiseach was joined at today’s ceremony by Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend and representatives from the two local authorities, Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, Chairman of Kilkenny County Council and Michael Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council.
Mr Varadkar said: “This new bypass, which includes Ireland’s longest bridge, will transform New Ross, Wexford, Kilkenny and the South-East. By reducing congestion and travel-times, improving road safety, and opening up economic opportunities, this will make a huge difference for commuters, for families, for businesses and for tourists.”
The New Ross bypass scheme will open to traffic at noon tomorrow. The by-pass will significantly ease chronic traffic congestion in New Ross, savings commuters up to 30 minutes journey time. The scheme also links the N25 with the N30 New Ross to Enniscorthy route.
The delivery of the N25 New Ross Bypass is the culmination of over 20 years work by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly National Roads Authority), Wexford County Council and Kilkenny County Council as well as technical advisors for the scheme, Mott MacDonald Ireland.
Construction works were undertaken by New Ross Joint Venture, consisting of BAM Civil and Dragados. On average, a workforce of 300 people was employed throughout construction and approximately 2.5 million work hours were completed on-site to complete the project.
Speaking at today’s event, Rose Katherine Kennedy Townsend – great-grandchild of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy – said: “This bridge is a wonderful tribute to my great grandmother, and a symbol of her enduring love and lesson that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, we are all God’s children. When some leaders threaten to drive us apart we need to honor those who build bridges that bring us together.”
Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said, “The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy bridge itself is an engineering wonder. It will attract visitors both nationally and internationally just to admire its presence and the engineering skills that it has taken to design and build. I would like to congratulate everyone that has been involved in making this project happen.”
Kilkenny County Council Chief Executive, Colette Byrne added: “This bridge will enable communities to work together for the betterment of both Wexford and Kilkenny. May all who use this bridge travel safely.”
The 35th president of the United States, John F Kennedy’s ancestors hail from Dunganstown, Wexford. The Kennedy Homestead is less than one mile from the new bridge. President Kennedy proudly visited his family town of New Ross in the summer of 1963. The late president’s sister, former US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith suggested the bridge be named after their mother, in memory of the entire extended family.
The 35th president of the United States, John F Kennedy’s ancestors hail from Dunganstown, Wexford. The Kennedy Homestead is less than one mile from the new bridge. President Kennedy proudly visited his family town of New Ross in the summer of 1963. The late president’s sister, former US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith suggested the bridge be named after their mother, in memory of the entire extended family.
WATCH: Stunning arial footage of the Rose Kennedy Bridge on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hadi5gj30yI
Other videos and timelapses of the construction under construction can be viewed at: https://www.n25newross.ie/project-updates/
PHOTOS: Patrick Browne
