Donegal County Council has welcomed the Cabinet's recent approval, which will advance the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project Donegal to the planning consent stage.

The project will transform the core road network and include extensive active travel provisions. As Donegal's largest road construction initiative to date, it aims to improve three distinct areas significantly.

With an investment exceeding €750 million, the project will upgrade around 42 kilometres of national primary roads and improve the surrounding regional and local road network.

-- Advertisement --

The three sections of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project Donegal, are:

• Section 1 – N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Bypass

• Section 2 – N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham, including a new Swilly Bridge

• Section 3 – N14 Manorcunningham to Lifford/Strabane/A5 Link

All three sections will now progress through the planning consent stage, which will involve the publication of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). The EIAR and CPO are scheduled for publication in Q1 2025, and the public will have the opportunity to submit their feedback to An Bord Pleanála at that time.

Following the submission period, An Bord Pleanála will likely hold an Oral Hearing to review the project in detail. This public hearing will take place in Donegal, allowing for a thorough examination of stakeholder views and project specifics. Once An Bord Pleanála grants approval, Donegal County Council will proceed with the detailed design, preparation of tender documents, and the construction tendering process.