Minister Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the government’s commitment of €600 million to the A5 Derry to Aughnacloy Northwest Transport Corridor.
The money, which will also go towards the Donegal Ten T Projects, represents a major vote of confidence in the future of the North West, he added.
“The A5 and the Donegal Ten T Project which includes the Bonagee Link in Letterkenny, the Lifford to Manorcunningham Dual Carriageway and the Ballybofey Stranorlar Bypass, are crucial pieces of infrastructure,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said.
“We all know that good transport access for the North West is critical to the future development of Donegal and our region and central to that is the building of the A5 and the three Donegal Ten T projects. I also welcome the Government’s commitment today to progress the N2 road from Aughnacloy to Clontibret in Monaghan which is also important in ensuring good quality road access to our County and the North West.”
Since 2006, more than 50 people have lost their lives on the A5 road.
The A5 North West Transport Corridor is to provide 85 kms of dual carriageway from Derry to the border at Aughnacloy.
“As well as delivering a long overdue connection to our county and roadway that will enable the economic development of Northern Ireland, the road is also crucial from a road safety point of view as more than 50 lives have lost on the existing A5 route since the upgrade was planned in 2006,” Minister McConalogue added.
The A5 scheme has seen several planning delays preventing its progress in recent years. But, Minister McConalogue siad, the planning process in Northern Ireland has now concluded. Subject to there being no further legal challenges, he said it is feasible that progressing plans for construction work would become possible over the course of the next year.
“I hope that the commitment today around the Government’s funding contribution to the A5 Project will enable the new Northern Ireland Executive to work with the UK Government to move the project forward now. I will also continue to work at Cabinet level with ministerial colleagues to ensure that the work underway in progressing the Donegal Ten T projects that are so important to our county’s future development.”
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