PICTURES: 'Transformative' Waterford project reaches major milestone

The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe recently visited the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) site in Waterford city.

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Almost a year to the day since ground was broken on the project, works have advanced significantly on this flagship urban regeneration project and are on schedule, delivering one of the largest ever investments in Waterford and the southeast region.

The public infrastructure works are funded with a public investment of €207m, including just over €100m of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding and a further €70m from the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The works include enhanced multi-modal access routes, a public transport hub including the relocation of Waterford train station to the North Quays, and a sustainable transport bridge.

The sustainable transport bridge will link the reallocated train station to new walking and cycling infrastructure.  These works will 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 Donohoe commented: "Works have advanced significantly on this flagship project, which I was delighted to visit.  It is so encouraging to see the National Development Plan come to life through projects such as the North Quays and to see the progress that is being made on its delivery, first-hand. This project will be transformative for Waterford City, opening up the north side of the city for the benefit of the people of the southeast.

“The development, which will not only deliver improved, high-quality transport infrastructure, as well as pedestrian and cycling facilities, making it easier to navigate the city, but will also include office space, residential, retail, and hotel accommodation. Sustainable, urban regeneration opens up cities in the most positive way, providing immense opportunities and possibilities to those who live there."

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During his visit to Waterford, Mr Donohoe added: “This project, which is one of the largest ever investments in Waterford and the southeast region, will change the way people view the city, travel around it, live in it and make the very most of it. I look forward to continued updates on project delivery and to seeing the difference it will make to the people of Waterford, and the surrounding region, in the years ahead.”

When completed, the infrastructure will enable the commercial development on the SDZ Site by Harcourt Developments and the final development will include offices, residential, retail, accommodation, and tourism investment in conference/exhibition facilities, as well as a 4-star hotel and visitor’s centre.

The development places a significant emphasis on improving the public realm through investment in new civic spaces, high-quality transport infrastructure and pedestrian and cycling facilities which will connect Waterford City Centre and the Southeast greenways.

Waterford’s 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.

Michael Walsh, Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council said “The progress to date on this publicly funded project must be commended.  The transformative effects for Waterford and the region will soon be apparent as, upon completion, this development will not only increase employment and provide much needed high-quality residential units, but it will also enhance our retail, tourism and cultural offering and reinforce Waterford’s reputation as the Best Place to Live in Ireland.”

*PICTURES: Patrick Browne