The second and final phase of the €16 million N56 Mountcharles to Inver Road Scheme is set to get underway.

Donegal County Council is delivering the scheme in an effort to increase accessibility of the south west of the region.

Contracts have been signed for the final works, which will see work delivered on the 3.5km section of the N56 from Drumbeigh to Inver. The first phase of work, from Mountcharles to Drumbeigh, is now approaching completion.

After signing the contracts last week, Cathaoirleach Cllr Nicholas Crossan said: "This is an important step forward in securing the long term economic, social and cultural viability of Donegal and indeed South West Donegal. This investment will see the completion of a major piece of infrastructure that will facilitate more ease of access for businesses, visitors and investors to south west Donegal including Killybegs Port which continues to be a significant contributor to the economic development of the county. This type of investment is crucial for Donegal and the entire North West region if we are to realise our ambitions as a region for growth and prosperity."

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Construction work will commence next month, with the road expected to open to the public in early 2021.

Wills Bros will deliver the work, following success on the N56 Mountcharles To Drumbeigh Scheme, N15 Blackburn Bridge and N56 Boyoughter to Kilkenny.

Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers will supervise the works, which will involve replacing the existing N56 carriageway with a new Type 1 Single Carriageway including a 3.65m wide lane in each direction with 2.5m wide hard shoulders.

This scheme is funded fully by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and is included in the published Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery 2016 – 2021'.

(CM/MH)