Plans for an €800 million roads project in Donegal aimed at improving transport links across the northwest will be published in regional and national press this morning.
Donegal County Council has described the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project as a "game changer" in terms of socio-economic development and connectivity.
The scheme focuses on three sections of the national road network that aims to ease congestion in three urban areas; Letterkenny, the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, and Lifford.
It also includes more than 60km of integrated active travel infrastructure, transport hubs and measures aimed at decarbonisation and climate resilience.
The project covers the N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar urban area, the N56/N13 route from Letterkenny to Manorcunningham including a new Swilly Bridge, and the N14 from Manorcunningham to Lifford, Strabane and the A5 Link.
The Council has said the scheme addresses significant issues on Donegal's national roads.
It is set to go through the strategic infrastructure planning process with An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Public consultation
The public can make submissions on the application and compulsory purchase orders during an eight-week consultation.
The application will also involve transboundary consultation with Northern Ireland that could be the subject of an oral hearing.
A Land Liaison Team, under the auspices of the National Roads Office has been engaging and is available to engage with land and property owners that may be impacted.
The proposed CPO includes 34 residential properties, four commercial properties and 6 uninhabited properties.
If project approval is granted, the next stages will include land acquisition, advance works and the construction tendering process.
Donegal County Council has said the earliest possible start date for construction is 2028, subject to funding and procurement.
Connectivity to the northwest county is heavily dependent on routes near or through Northern Ireland.
Approximately 90% of Donegal’s border is with counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh with the remaining 10% bordering with Leitrim.
The Donegal Ten T project received Cabinet approval to move to planning in 2024.
The Council has said the project represents the single greatest investment in transport infrastructure in Donegal in the modern history of the county.
