#MajorBypass -A contract for a major €230m New Ross Bypass and 900m river bridge was signed last week, following numerous false dawns and political promises, reported the Wexford People. 

The sod turning took place on Monday of the new bypass bridge of New Ross, by the Minister of State Paul Kehoe who said work will begin shortly.

Upwards of 300 jobs are expected to be created in the construction of the bypass, while 2,100 jobs will be created through maintenance, repairs, bridge repairs, drainage and lighting the bypass over 30 years, according to contractors BAM Iridium.

Once open to traffic in 2019 the new road will cut journey times by up to 40 minutes and provide a safer and shorter alternative to the current route through New Ross, eliminating the need for motorists to use the rat run at Raheen into the town.

The new road will allow traffic on the N25 between Cork and Waterford to bypass the town of New Ross and cross the Lower Barrow on a new 36m high, 900m long four-lane suspension bridge. This will feature the world's longest central span three tower extradosed bridge, a type of cable-stay structure, spanning the River Barrow.

It will measure 887m.

The €230 million scheme will involve the construction of approximately 13.6km of new dual carriageway and 1.2km of new and upgraded single carriageway to bypass the town of New Ross.

For more on this major infrastural development spanning the south-eastern river, click here.