Works on the TEN-T road network for Donegal could start by 2028, according to a new report.
The project will improve 42km of road network between Letterkenny, Manorcunningham, Lifford and the Ballybofey Stranorlar Bypass. This includes the Bonagee Link/Bridge to ease traffic congestion in Letterkenny.
A new report by the Northern & Western Regional Assembly shows that the TEN-T is at a more advanced stage than other road projects in the region.
The planning application for the entire scheme is expected to be submitted within the next few months.
“Assuming it takes a year with An Coimisiún Pleanála, the project will have permission to start before the end of 2027. On this basis, it reasonable to assume that construction start time could be sometime between 2028 and 2030,” said the NWRA.
The project, estimated to cost €800million, gained Cabinet approval to move to the planning stage last year.
Up to 40 property acquisitions may be required under Compulsory Purchase Orders to make way for the network.
The project provides a multi-modal transport network including 63km Active Travel, 42km of improved mainline and new bypass road and 8 new multimodal hubs with EV charging.
Over the years, the project has faced an ever-changing background of standards, procedures and government policy.
The TEN-T is the only priority infrastructure project of scale in Donegal categorised as ‘shovel ready’ for commencement or delivery by 2030, with the remainder expected to progress in the period between 2030 and 2035.
Other projects in the county such as the N56 Inver to Killybegs port upgrade and the N15 Route improvement from Stranorlar to Lifford are at Phase 0 ‘Scope /Pre-appraisal’ stage
The N15 Sligo to Bundoran Road Upgrade (from the N4/ N16 junction in Sligo to the Leitrim County Boundary) has been suspended since 2010.
The NWRA’s latest status report found that less than half (14 out of 35) of infrastructure projects of scale in the northern and western region will be ‘shovel ready’ by 2030.
The updated NDP (National Development Plan) is scheduled to be published sometime before the end of 2025.
Cathaoirleach of the Assembly, Cllr Michéal Frain, stated: “In recent years the analysis carried out by the NWRA has demonstrated the Northern & Western Region has experienced an ongoing proportionate lack of significant investment in capital projects of scale, whilst we hope the forthcoming 5 years for the Capital envelope to 2030, will deliver results for the Region, it is also vital the projects within the next phase (2030 – 2035) are advanced with urgency and properly resourced through the Planning process.”
TEN-T project could reach shovel-ready status by 2028 was last modified: September 18th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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