Hopes that a new bridge will bring an end to traffic problems in Kilkenny.
With the opening of the new Ossory Bridge, traffic can now travel around the Kilkenny onto a range of already established routes to Dublin, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow.
This major six million pound project has saved Kilkenny from slow strangulation by traffic.
The Ossory Bridge crosses the River Nore about two kilometres outside the city of Kilkenny. Minister for the Environment Liam Kavanagh cut the ceremonial tape officially opening the bridge to traffic. The minister was also the first to walk across the new bridge accompanied by the Mayor of Kilkenny and the Chairman of Kilkenny County Council.
In addition to solving traffic congestion, the new road and bridge opens a huge new tract of land to business and development. Liam Kavanagh said the government plans to substantially increase state investment in improving roads in the most ambitious programme the country has ever seen.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 December 1984. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
