The chairman of Wexford County Council says the opening of the N25 New Ross Bypass puts the pressure on for an inner relief bridge to alleviate traffic congestion in Ferrybank.
The new bypass will open in two weeks time, on January 29th.
The 15km scheme represents an investment of €230 million in the South East region.
It incorporates the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge over the River Barrow, which at 887m, is Ireland's longest bridge.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Sheehan says traffic will move slower in Glenmore and Ferrybank:
"In an economic sense, what it does do is put the pressure on now for an inner relief bridge, so that you won't be accelerating by New Ross on the bypass going over the beautiful bridge and then down to Ferrybank and sitting in traffic there. Traffic volume won't increase because of the bypass but it will increase the time that you may be sitting in traffic in Ferrybank."
But he says the new bypass is of huge benefit to people in Waterford:
"It's a benefit to Waterford and Kilkenny, and indeed to Wexford. Anyone who's commuting in Waterford, who's commuting back and forth to New Ross, the tailbacks will be totally gone. For anyone living in Waterford this is hugely important for you because it allows people to relocate to South Kilkenny and New Ross and Wexford, and it also reduces the commute time for people coming in and out of Waterford."
Michael Sheehan says journey times from Waterford to Enniscorthy and Wexford will be reduced by around 20 minutes.
