The redevelopment of the North Quays in Waterford is underway. Technically, such a project would be worthy of comment on this site, due to port environments falling under the definition of IH.
I specifically link to this article in the Waterford News and Star as it contains a timeline for the opening of the new railway station in Waterford being built as part of this project and information about the current station.
It is noted that the transport hub will be substantially complete by Q2 2026 but signaling work on the railway will not be complete until Q2 2027. Given the light use of this section of line east of the current Waterford station (freight traffic to Belview), I am at a loss to understand why Irish Rail cannot realign the track and install the associated signalling now.
The article notes that the canopies at the present Waterford station are protected structures and therefore, CIE will be required to keep these (having said that, the ‘care and maintenance’ practiced by Irish Rail/CIE is not something to shout about).
Could I suggest that the present Limerick/Dublin facing bay platform be leased to the Irish Traction Group as an alternative to their present isolated facility at Carrick on Suir? Having their locomotives in Waterford would be a tourist attraction and an appropriate re-use of the platform facilities.