OPENING OF BUNDORAN / BALLYSHANNON BY-PASS
GATEWAY TO DONEGAL
There was more good news for road users today (27th April) as the Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher TD, opened the Bundoran/Ballyshannon By-Pass. The new 10.5 kilometre carriageway will relieve one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the North-West and will significantly improve safety and travel times between the north and west.
The by-pass extends from the Drowes Bridge on the existing N15 south of Bundoran to the northern side of Ballyshannon. Its benefits will be felt not only by hard-pressed motorists, but also in both Bundoran and Ballyshannon towns where up to 9,000 vehicles a day will be taken off the main streets. Other benefits of the by-pass will include safer, more efficient access to markets along the northern element of the Atlantic road corridor, increased attractiveness of the north and west for business and tourism.
The National Development Plan, 2000-2006 provides for the development of the N15 Sligo/Lifford route to high quality wide single carriageway standard. Completion of the Bundoran/Ballyshannon By-Pass brings these objectives an important step nearer to reality.
Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher welcomed the completion of the N15 Bundoran/Ballyshannon By-Pass 3 months ahead of schedule and within budget. He said it will allow traffic to travel freely along the route bypassing what has become in recent years, a major bottleneck. With the reduction of traffic through these towns, residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the amenities afforded by both towns in a safer and more relaxed atmosphere.
Chairman of the National Roads Authority Mr. Peter Malone said, “Today is hugely significant for the people of Ballyshannon and Bundoran because the popular tourist towns will no longer be crippled by heavy traffic and it’s all thanks to a new bypass delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. 9,000 vehicles will be instantly removed from both towns allowing locals to go about their daily business efficiently and safely.
The bypass is also good news for the Northwest region as a major bottleneck on the
N15, which runs from Sligo to Lifford, will be history. It is NRA policy to upgrade
this route because efficient access is the key to a strong and expanding commercial
and tourism sector especially given today’s intense foreign competition.
The NRA is well positioned to implement the Government’s visionary Transport 21
plan, which focuses on the development of the Atlantic Road Corridor. This route will
provide a major artery for the movement of Tourists in the North, West and South of
the country. As the Authority unveils the fruits of this major transport investment
across the country development will flow in a balanced form on a regional basis
appealing to local, national and overseas investors thus positioning Ireland on the
international tourist and business tourist map.
The Mayor of the County of Donegal said that he was proud to be associated with the official opening of this by-pass, which is a significant infrastructure development for County Donegal. It is a credit to the personnel who worked on the project and it will serve the people of Donegal well for many years into the future.
The County Manager, Mr Michael McLoone stated that "I wish to acknowledge the role played by the Departments of Transport, the National Roads Authority, the EU, the elected Members of the County Council, and Bundoran and Ballyshannon Town Councils in bringing this important road project to the county and the role of the Roads Directors. Apart form the strategic importance of this 10.5 kilometre by-pass to the National Development Plan it will, I believe, create tremendous opportunities in years to come for the development of Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh in complementary and compatible ways and bring great benefits to the local community".
Bundoran/Ballyshannon By-Pass was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, and part-funded by the European Union.
Background
The N15 Bundoran / Ballyshannon By-Pass Scheme forms part of the National Roads Authority's programme for upgrading the N15 Sligo to Lifford Road.
The Scheme involved the design and construction of approximately 10.5km of new National Primary Route to form a by-pass to the east of the towns of Bundoran and Ballyshannon in South Donegal.
Project Particulars
The Design Phase of the N15 Bundoran/Ballyshannon By-Pass (N15 BBBP) commenced late 1999 and Preliminary Design was completed in 2001. The scheme was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for determination and was subsequently confirmed by the Bord, with modifications, and became operative in September 2002.
The Scheme involved the construction of 10.5km of carriageway, three main line roundabouts and also a grade separated junction with left-in / left-out T-junctions connecting the link roads to the main carriageway. Access to and from the new carriageway is confined to these key junctions to maintain the capacity of the road and reduce accident potential.
The carriageway cross section is a wide single carriageway throughout the scheme, with the exception of the carriageway from Ballyshannon South Junction to Ballyshannon North Junction where a northbound climbing lane and a central median has been provided.
A total of 14 new structures are included throughout the scheme which include: 2 x pedestrian underpasses, 5 x vehicle overbridges, 3 x vehicle underbridges, a retaining wall and 3 x river crossings.
The most significant structure is the River Erne Bridge, which is constructed approximately 500m west of Cathaleen's Falls Dam. This is a two-tier structure, the lower level providing pedestrian access across the River Erne with the upper level carrying the vehicular traffic. The aesthetics of the structure will be an enhanced through the provision of an architectural lighting scheme.
The Employer to the Contract covering the Design and Build of the Scheme is Donegal County Council.
The Scheme has been advanced through the various phases under the control of the Donegal County Council's DNRDO design office based in the Public Services Centre, Donegal Town.
The DNRDO engaged Jacobs Babtie to undertake the Environmental Impact Statement of the Scheme and to provide CPO information in respect of the design. In addition Jacobs Babtie was engaged to document the Design and Build Tender documents and to recommend the Contractor for the Design and the Works.
SIAC/Wills Joint Venture was appointed Contractor for the Design and the Works and commenced construction effective 30th July, 2004.