A section of the new road and the old (below) with Gweebarra Bridge in the background. Pic Declan Doherty
THE infamous ‘Gweebarra Bends’ are a thing of the past thanks to major ongoing works on the main N56 Dungloe to Glenties road.
Construction of the new €7.6 million road started in June last year and has already resulted in vast improvements to the route, including a new carriageway around Gweebarra Mountain, bypassing the notorious stretch of road there.
The project also includes a cycle track for its full length, from Kilraine outside to a point 12 km south of Dungloe.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week, local Sinn Fein Councillor, Marie Therese Gallagher, said people in the area were “absolutely delighted” with the works which are expected to be fully completed by Christmas or early in the New Year.
“The top half around the Gweebarra Bends has already opened and it’s just fantastic, we are all absolutely delighted with it over here in west Donegal,” Cllr Gallagher said.
“This new road means a lot to us and will open up the whole west of the county and allow coaches, lorries and all traffic to travel freely between both towns. The Gweebarra Bends would have put people here in Dungloe off driving to Glenties, but that has all changed now. Bad roads divide people too, so it’s great to see what’s going on.”
The new design of road is narrower than a traditional upgraded road because of the low volume of traffic using it on a daily basis.
However, it will be wider than the old Dungloe to Glenties road, a Donegal County Council spokesperson explained.
“The project, being undertaken by Wills Bros Ltd, will significantly improve the road for all users, especially cyclists and tourists on the Wild Atlantic Way. It will enhance the general accessibility of west Donegal, including the access to the Regional Airport at Carrickfinn and to Gaeltacht areas.”
For full report, see today’s Donegal News or subscribe to our digital edition.
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