By Chris Ashmore
SPECIALIST equipment will be deployed for the open drilling of land to the north of Letterkenny which is earmarked for a major future development as the town continues to expand, the Donegal News can reveal.
The drilling is required to determine bedrock conditions and soil types ahead of the construction of new infrastructure – including roads and water supplies – in the town.
It’s all part of the Letterkenny Northern Network Project which will see the opening up of lands between the Knocknamona (Windyhall) Roundabout and GlencarKillylastin where hundreds of new homes will be built.
In recent days, the plans to open up this vast track of land in Letterkenny have taken another step forward with the confirmation that Donegal County Council is seeking specialist contractors to carry out a major “ground investigation” project. The contract is expected to be around €375,000.
In essence, the plan revolves around upgrading and realigning the existing L1152-1 Windyhall Road which will tie in with the town’s controversial ‘Active Travel’ programme. This will mean the inclusion of segregated pedestrian and cyclist lanes. But ground works are required first.
The documentation associated with the tender process states that “the works will involve carrying out a number of boreholes (rotary open-hole drilling and core holes)” to determine sufficient sub-ground conditions and the depth to bedrock below the proposed foundations.
Soil sampling will also take place as well as geophysical surveying which could be used to aid in the detection of buried utilities.
On-site work is expected to involve between four and eight people and the works – which could get underway before the end of the year – are likely to take about a month. During this time a traffic management system will be deployed.
The findings from the works will assist in the design and construction of an upgraded and realigned Windyhall Road – along with some new junctions – which will, in turn, lead to the opening up of
further lands for future
housing development.
Back in June, planning permission was lodged to build 346 housing units along with a creche and neighbour centre in the Windyhall area. The proposals are for a mix of two and three bed duplex apartments, and two, three and four bedroom houses.
Further major developments are expected in the next few years.
While it is in a hilly area, it is hoped that the provision of the pedestrian and cycle lanes will lead to a modal shift and encourage people to walk or cycle.
The new-look Windyhall road will have a speed limit of 60 kph.