Construction of Waterford’s new Sustainable Transport Bridge has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the final bridge span now completed.

The operation marked the culmination of the superstructure assembly, carried out by the HEBO Lift 9 — a floating sheerleg crane boasting an 800-tonne lifting capacity and a lifting height of 67 metres.

The final stage of the lift operation began on Wednesday, May 21, with the placement of the North Main span, measuring 65 metres in length and weighing over 500 tonnes. The span was lifted from a barge and manoeuvred into position on temporary steel support frames, pending final integration with the permanent concrete piers. The South Main span was installed the following day, witnessed by large crowds on the South Quays.

After a pause in works due to adverse weather conditions, installation resumed on Tuesday, May 27. Over the course of two days, the North and South Approach spans were successfully installed, completing the bridge's structural framework.

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The bridge's steel deck superstructure was fabricated and fitted out by Victor Buyck Steel Construction in Belgium, with the central opening span's mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems manufactured and assembled by Qualter Hall in England.

Transportation of the bridge spans involved sea-going barges GPS Avenger and ANTEOS, which towed the components from Ghent via the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, English Channel, and Irish Sea to Belview Port before reaching the Waterford North Quays site. The HEBO Lift 9 itself arrived from Ghent and was towed from Dunmore East to the Frank Cassin Wharf ahead of operations.

With all spans now in place, testing and commissioning of the bascule leaves for the opening central span will begin. Remaining works include surfacing, lighting, parapet railings, street furniture, and the installation of the downstream pier protection system.

The new bridge features a double-leaf bascule design, allowing it to open from both sides to accommodate river traffic. Smaller vessels will be able to pass underneath, subject to tidal conditions.

Discussing the project, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy said: "There has been a cast of hundreds working diligently in the background to deliver one of the most exciting projects ever to Waterford.  I would like to highly commend the Projects team at Waterford City and County Council, the funding agencies, Bam and Roughan & O'Donovan.

"Also, from the day the HEBO floating crane was towed from Belgium to the North Quays, the sense of excitement and anticipation was palpable, as evidenced by hundreds of spectators lining the quays to see a piece of history being made. For that I would like to thank Victor Buyck manufacturers, Qualter, Hall & Co. and of course, the tugboat crews and crane operators."

The bridge forms a critical part of Waterford’s public infrastructure, developed in advance of the adjoining Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). Integration works with the SDZ will enable the bridge to open to the public in Q4 2026.