The Waterford city by-pass has been officially opened three-and-a-half years after work started and ten months ahead of schedule.
The bypass includes a 465m cable-stayed bridge over the River Suir. The as yet unnamed bridge is the longest in the State.
The road has been described as the most important infrastructural development in Waterford in living memory. It is estimated that the cost of design, construction and operating the by-pass is in excess of €500m.
The Exchequer contribution was €255m in respect of land, planning and design, advance contracts, supervision, archaeology as well as construction grants.
The balance was provided by private companies in a public-private partnership scheme with those companies operating a toll on the new bridge.
Motorcycles using the new bridge will have to pay a toll of €1, cars €1.90, coaches and small trucks €3.40 and up to €6.10 for trucks with four or more axles.
The National Roads Authority said the job has been completed on budget.
It said approximately 20 minutes will be saved in travelling at peak times from Rosslare to Cork when the by-pass is used, and it is expected 14,000 vehicles will use it every day - reducing traffic through Waterford city by 30%.
Campaigners have been looking for a second river crossing in Waterford city for nearly half a century.
