Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher Leas-Cheann Comhairle has welcomed confirmation that steady progress is being made on the three N56 road projects.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have confirmed that contractors are appointed for works at Dungloe to Glenties and Coolboy- Kilmacrennan
Fox contractors have been appointed for the N56 Dungloe to Glenties to construct the road section between Kilkenny to Letterlily.
The N56 project for Coolboy to Kilmacrennan has been awarded to BAM construction.
A contractor will be appointed soon to the third project on the N56 Mountcharles to Drumbeigh.
Pat the Cope said he plans to maintain pressure on the TII and the Government in order to make sure the N56 remains a top priority for further investment.
He added: “It is critical that we continue to invest in our roads within the county, especially in the context of the forthcoming Brexit and the very increasing rural – urban imbalance which exists in this country.
“Infrastructural investment in rural areas is essential to act as a catalyst for future growth and regional development.
“I expect that Donegal County Council and the TII will now put in place further plans for future investment in the N56 along with investment in the N13, N14 and the N15; all of these National roads provide critical access to our county and our regions and as such warrant sizeable investment by central Government.
“It is critical that we invest heavily in our county’s infrastructure in the years ahead, in order to safeguard and secure our competitiveness,” concluded Pat the Cope.
TII confirmed the following upgrade plans to Deputy Gallagher:
- The Kilkenny to Letterlily N56 contract has been awarded by Donegal County Council to Fox Contracting.
The planned improvement scheme covering from Kilkenny to Letterilly on the Glenties to Dungloe road will involve widening and realignment to Type 3 Single Carriageway (6.0m Carriageway with 0.5m hard strips). The project also includes a cycle track for its full length.
The scheme is 3.6km long and has an estimated completion cost of €12 million euro.
The TII expect the contract will take 18 months to complete and these works have already commenced.
- The Coolboy to Kilmacrennan N56 contract has been awarded by Donegal County Council to BAM construction.
The proposed N56 Coolboy Kilmacrennan scheme is located an approximate 5 km north of Letterkenny and is a continuation of the N56 Mountaintop to Illistrin project completed in 2009.
The existing road is narrow (approximately 6m wide with neither shoulders nor verges) and has a substandard horizontal and vertical alignment.
There are 5 local road junctions with restricted junction visibility on this section.
The 3.15km long scheme will involve the widening and realignment to Type 2 Single Carriageway (7.0m Carriageway with hard strips) of the N56. The project will significantly improve safety for road users and will maintain consistency of cross-section between Letterkenny and Kilmacrennan.
The construction works is expected to take 18 months and works are to commence shortly.
- The N56 Mountcharles to Drumbeigh contract will shortly be awarded and the announcement of the contractor will be imminent.
The proposed works will involve the design and construction of approximately 2.75km of new National Secondary Road to Type 1 Single Carriageway. This scheme commences at the tie-in with the Mountcharles Bypass and continues to Drumbeigh and when complete the project will cost an approximate €15 million.
Works are to commence within weeks and will take 21 months to complete.
