N25 Waterford Bypass

This project was included in the announcement of pilot projects on 1st June 1999.The project involves constructing a bypass around Waterford City for the N25. The project includes a new river crossing, a cable stay bridge with an overall length of approximately 475 m, of the River Suir in the vicinity of Grannagh, near the existing N24/N9 Junction to the North West of Waterford City. The bypass commences in the vicinity of Kilmeaden to the West of the City, crosses the River Suir at Grannagh and ties in with the existing N25 to the East of Slieverue Village. The project includes a new connection, known as the Western Link, which connects the by-pass to industrial areas to the South West of the City and links of the N9 and N24 to the Grannagh Interchange. The scheme construction includes approximately 23 km of dual carriageway and 14 km of single carriageway.

During the course of pre-contract archaeological testing undertaken on the scheme a significant at an archaeological site known as - the "Woodstown Site" was discovered along the route corridor. The site was declared a national monument and the minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued archaeological directions providing for the site to be preserved. This necessitated a revised alignment for a section of the route.

The Woodstown site appears to represent a defended, riverside settlement, with associated industrial activity. The artefacts and radiocarbon dates together confirm the site most likely dates to the early Medieval period c. 9th century to early 12th century AD. Evidence suggests the Norse may have used an existing settlement of native Irish origin.