A MAJOR Donegal infrastructure project has been given Cabinet approval to move to planning stage.
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN–T) Priority Route Improvement Project proposes to provide a sustainable and inclusive transport network.
It will also address critical transport deficiencies along three targeted sections of existing TEN-T/national route – the Twin Towns By-Pass, Letterkenny to Manorcunningham and Manorcunnuingham to Lifford, linking the A5 in Strabane.
Welcoming the go-ahead by Cabinet for the project to go through the statutory processes and commence the development of a procurement strategy, Donegal Minister, Charlie McConalogue, said the TEN-T project has been one of his main priorities since he was first elected.
“I have been liaising with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Department of Transport and Donegal County Council Chief Executive Officer, John McLaughlin, to make sure that the Donegal TEN-T project progresses.
Local Cllr Donal Coyle said the announcement as “absolutely fantastic” news.
“The Ten-T project will make a huge difference to the traffic in Letterkenny and improve business in the town as well,” he said.
“Each of the routes in the Donegal TEN-T Project are extremely important, and when completed, they will serve to completely transform the respective areas,” Minister McConalogue continued.
“The Twin Towns By-Pass will see a large reduction in the huge volume of traffic that comes through Ballybofey and Stranorlar.
“The dual carriageway from Manorcunningham to Lifford has been in the pipeline for some time, while the Bonagee Link project will serve to open up the transport network both in Letterkenny and Donegal.
To date, Donegal County Council has received funding of €4.3 million from the Connecting Europe Facility for the design and planning stage of the project.
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