Minister Joe McHugh has revealed the countdown to a series of major road improvements across Co Donegal.
Among the projects will be almost 17km of road improvements along more stretches of the N56 beginning next year
Routes for Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors will also be identified in 2019.
Minister McHugh said “There has been a massive level of investment on the roads in Donegal in the last year – so much so that nowhere else in the country is seeing the same amount of money being pumped into making roads better and safer,” Minister McHugh said.
“Construction teams and their diggers were on the ground on three major road improvement schemes this year – on the N56 Mountcharles-Inver and at the Gweebarra bends and also on the road to Kilmacrennan.
“The difference these new stretches of road will make is immense. It will make commutes and journeys easier but it’s also a big plus for tourists heading along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Minster McHugh revealed 17km of new improvement works will begin on the N56 next year from Dungloe to Cloughbolie and Letterilly to Kilraine.
He added: “Also the ongoing work on the N56 – the Coolboy to Kilmacreanan stretch; the Kilkenny to Letterilly; and the Mountcharles to Drumbeigh are all on course to be completed next year.”
The Minister for Education and Skills confirmed that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) expects the Ten-T transport corridor project in Donegal will move to route selection before next June. It will include three major road projects – the N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Urban Region; the N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham route; and the N14 Manorcunningham to Lifford/ Strabane/A5 Link.
Minister McHugh said: “The adoption of the successful Ten-T routes will be known by the end of the year.
“The benefits to the county from road projects of this scale are immense. They will slash journey times and drivers will also be confident about how long their commute and travel time will take.
“Road safety is also improved as is the local environment on gridlocked town roads.
Minister McHugh added: “As far as Donegal is concerned one of the most eagerly awaiting road schemes is the A5 and I know as well as anyone the importance of this project. From talking to transport chiefs and planners the hope is that progress will be made on it in 2019.
“And with that on the horizon the TII has also begun initial appraisal on the N2 to A5 south of Aughnacloy and on the N2 Slane Bypass, an important section of national road on the Donegal-Dublin corridor.”
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