SINN Féin TDs for Donegal, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty, have said that yesterday’s A5 construction commitment represented a significant breakthrough for Donegal.
Deputies Mac Lochlainn and Doherty were responding after Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd announced that the Northern Executive has approved construction of the first stretch of the A5, which will now proceed in early 2025.
This will see the first 55km of the project proceed from Junction 8, south of Strabane, to the proposed Junction 15 near Ballygawley, including the westward extension of the existing A4 Dual Carriageway.
Teachta Mac Lochlainn said: “The A5 route is crucially important infrastructure, linking Donegal with the capital and the rest of the country – a major route for those living and working in Donegal and right across the Northwest.
“Far too many families have also lost loved ones on this dangerous road – more than 50 people have died since 2006.
“As well as improving road safety, this project will address the deep regional imbalance on this island, create jobs, benefit the economy and improve journey times for the thousands of daily users of this route.
“Following the Executive’s commitment, the Irish Government must now also take all necessary steps to ensure that the Ten-T Road upgrade projects for Donegal, connecting to the A5 and related N2 upgrades, receive approval and are delivered as speedily as possible.”
Teachta Doherty added: “I am delighted that my colleague John O’Dowd has sanctioned this project that we have fought a very long time for.
“In fact, both Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn and myself were in attendance at St. Andrews in 2006 when Sinn Féin received a commitment from both Irish and British governments to get the road upgraded.
“We also attended the public inquiry in Omagh last year and heard the testimony from individuals who had lost family members on the road.
“I understand how transformative the upgrading of this road will be for Donegal and the Northwest and how much safer the road will be as a result.
“Donegal is a county that has been left without rail infrastructure and the upgrading of the A5 is even more important in this context.
“I now look forward to working with my Sinn Féin colleagues to ensure that this project is brought to fruition.
“As we welcome today’s announcement, we do so with all those who have lost their lives or who have been seriously injured on this road at the forefront of our thoughts.
“We pay tribute to them and to those who campaigned so tirelessly in their memory for this upgrade to proceed.”
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