Rice Bridge

Rice Bridge, December 2003

Rice Bridge, December 2003.

© Waterford City Library

Rice Bridge, December 2003
© Waterford City Library

Rice Bridge, December 2003

Rice Bridge, December 2003.

© Waterford City Library

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By 1981 the Redmond Bridge was branded dangerous and a new bridge was need. The bridge was to have four car lanes and would be built in two stages. The first stage began in August 1982; the two lanes were constructed by the side of Redmond Bridge, this phase was opened on 22nd October 1984.

The main contractor was Irishenco Ltd. of Dublin and the tender was £7.9 million. The consulting engineers were Rendel, Palmer and Triffton of London. The opening span was 40 metres long and weighted 310 tones and was subcontracted out to Hollandia-Kloos of Rotterdam. The entire opening span was transported to Waterford from Rotterdam and was lifted into position by a 400 ton capacity floating crane.