The road was opened by Mr Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, in the presence of Cllr. Gerry Mc Monagle, Leas Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.
This project invested over €100 million to improve about 26 kilometers of the N56 road. It also added a 2-meter-wide footway and cycle track. The project resulted in significant improvements to what was a poor-quality existing network in a region where the topographical, geological and environmental constraints were very challenging.
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The road project was delivered in five phases over 10 years and involved various design engineering consultants, site supervisory teams and construction contracts. Throughout that time the Donegal NRO and TII regional teams successfully coordinated and managed the planning, design and delivery of each phase.
This project has focused on upgrading notorious sections of the N56, like the Gweebarra and Meenacarn bends. The improved national road and separate active travel facilities along Donegal's Wild Atlantic Way.
Minister Chambers congratulated all those involved for their professionalism and resilience in delivering this entire project. He said that this investment of over €100m in beautiful west Donegal showed the commitment of the government to rural Ireland and to investment in road safety. The project delivers on infrastructure objectives within the NDP and it also delivers on core policies within the National Planning Framework (Project Ireland 2040 particularly in respect to aiding rural growth and regional connectivity. He applauded the full length active travel facility as valuable not only in connecting rural communities but playing a part in modal shift and decarbonisation.
Photo: Clive Wasson
