N15 Blackburn Bridge Realignment
Updated 24/01/2012
Introduction
The national primary route N15 is a strategically important route for county Donegal. It is part of the Atlantic Corridor identified in the government’s Transport 21 framework and it is one of the main access routes to/from the Linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. Funding for major roads projects is limited at present and all major projects on the N15 in Donegal are currently suspended. As short term funding for minor works is available, Donegal County Council have identified some sections of the N15 where minor works would generate significant improvements.
The Need for the Project
The section of the existing national primary route N15 from the bottom of McGroary’s Brae to Ballybofey has been identified as needing urgent improvement. It has a poor road safety record and has seen a number of fatal accidents in recent years. The road alignment consists of some long straights followed by tight bends. Restricted visibility, both on the N15 and at junctions/accesses, is commonplace. Roadside development is extensive and in some instances this development is located very close to the road edge. It had been anticipated that the N13/N15 Ballybofey/ Stranorlar Bypass would bypass this section of road thereby reducing traffic volumes and enhancing road safety. The suspension of the Bypass project due to funding has now underlined the need to carry out short term improvements to the existing road.
Description of the Project
The proposed project involves the improvement of approximately 4.5km of the N15 from the bottom of McGroary’s Brae to the existing speed limits on the south side of Ballybofey. The project will focus on online widening in the first instance and where necessary short sections of off-line works will be developed.
Current Status
The Part 8 planning for the project was confirmed at the Donegal County Council meeting on 28th November 2011. The Part 8 planning documents can be viewed at the link below.
(The Part 8 documents can be viewed at the link below.
Part 8 Documents
Part 8 Doc 2
Part 8 Doc 3
As a result of funding and programming issues it is proposed to deliver this project in phases. The first section for delivery is the southernmost 2.5km (Woodland Dooish junction to McGroary’s Brae)
A Compulsory Purchase Order has been prepared for Phase 1 and was published on 6 January 2012. Individual landowners have received separate notice. The Compulsory Purchase Order is available for inspection at:
(a) The offices of the Local Authority, County House, Lifford.
(b) The National Roads Design Office of the Local Authority, Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town
(c) Ballybofey Branch Library, Navenny Street, Ballybofey.
Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers have been appointed for Phase 1 to prepare the detail design and tender documents and to manage the construction process. It is expected that the detailed design and tender documents will be ready for publication by end March 2012.
Enquiries
Any enquiries should be forwarded to the National Roads Design Office at the Donegal Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town or telephone (074) 9724500 for Brendan O’Donnell, Senior Executive Engineer, Aine McHugh, Executive Engineer or Mark Gallagher, Assistant Engineer. Alternatively e-mail design@dnrdo.ie.
