Donegal County Council celebrated the commencement of the Fintra Bridge and Road Realignment Project on Friday last, June 27th.
The project will see the upgrade and realignment of the approximately 2km of the existing R263 from the western end of the Glenlee Pass towards Fintra.
It shall also include a new bridge crossing over the Fintra River and the creation of a new pedestrian and cycle route to link to Fintra Beach.
Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, welcomed the investment of approximately €12M in the project.
He said that “This project will see the construction of a new bridge and the re-alignment of a section of regional road with active travel facilities from Killybegs to the well-known Fintra Beach which is a hugely popular attraction in South-West Donegal.
“There are several bends on this existing stretch of road, while the bridge itself is extremely narrow.
Thanks to the staff at Donegal County Council for their work to date, and to the landowners for their positive engagement. I look forward to this project being completed and seeing a new section of road that will be much safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport noted that “The Department of Transport is delighted that the R263 Fintra Bridge and Road Realignment Scheme has reached this significant milestone. This project will enhance connectivity and improve road safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, between Killybegs and Fintra Beach, including improved access to Fintra National School and the Killybegs GAA Club. We would like to extend our thanks to our colleagues in Donegal County Council for advancing this important project.”
Cllr. Niamh Kennedy, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, is delighted to see many years hard work on the project now coming to fruition.
She said “This is a great day for Killybegs and South West Donegal. Locals have campaigned for many years for improvements to Fintra Bridge and this section of Regional Road and it was one of my top priorities since being elected in 2014. I believe that the meeting that my colleagues and I from the Donegal MD held the then Minister for Transport Shane Ross on this project in Dublin in 2017 was crucial to get the project moving. When this project is completed it will improve road safety and connectivity as well as providing walking and cycling facilities to our stunning Blue Flag beach at Fintra.”
John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, thanked the officials from the Department of Transport who had collaborated with the Council and provided the necessary funding over the years to bring this project to this point.
He said “This significant investment in road infrastructure will have significant benefits for locals and those living and working in the wider South West Donegal area.
The road forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way and acts as a vital link to the world renowned cliffs at Sliabh Liag which attracts over 200,000 visitors each year and all that South West Donegal has to offer to visitors to our beautiful county.”
Donegal County Council has appointed BAM Civil Ltd as contractor for the works. The project consultant was Roughan O’Donovan for stages 1 to 5 and ARUP have now been appointed as consultant for stages 6 and 7.
Donegal County Council’s Road Design Office have acted as Project Managers throughout the project.
