By Jonathan Magee
MOTORISTS in the Finn Valley have one less diversion to contend with after the replacement of Tiernisk bridge, between Castlefin and Doneyloop, which is now open to traffic again.
The bridge had been closed since early July after a partial collapse forced the closure of the road, with traffic diverted onto the N15 via Liscooley. Its reopening comes as welcome news for locals after several weeks of journeys on the alternative route.
However, the footbridge at Dromore, Killygordon, remains closed. According to a council roads engineer based in Ballybofey, the council’s Design Section has appointed a consultant to assess the structure, with the closure requested as an interim safety measure pending the outcome of that investigation. Temporary traffic lights remain in place on the adjoining road bridge to allow pedestrians to cross safely, and the council is awaiting the consultant’s report before deciding on next steps.
The footbridge, which spans the River Finn alongside the historic Dromore Bridge and is used daily by pupils from nearby Dromore National School, was closed in January after an engineer’s assessment found structural issues. Investigations have been hampered by the need for low river levels to examine the bridge’s foundations, and earlier this year local representatives said the bridge could remain closed well into 2027.
Meanwhile, the National Road Design Office in Donegal Town is to lead resurfacing works across Ballybofey and Stranorlar, with regular updates to be issued via the council’s social media accounts as the project develops. Works are due to begin at the end of July, starting at Lidl and progressing towards Stranorlar, combining night-time and daytime phases with one-way systems in operation.
The timing has already drawn concern locally, with the resurfacing project following a stopgo traffic system introduced in the Twin Towns earlier this year to facilitate other roadworks, a measure some councillors have said is putting additional strain on secondary routes through Killygordon and the surrounding area.