N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan Realignment
Updated 24/01/2012
Introduction
The national primary route N56 is an important strategic route for county Donegal providing access from the west and southwest of the county to the Linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry and to other locally important towns. Funding for major roads projects is limited at present and the potential for new major projects on the N56 unlikely. Short term funding for minor works is available and Donegal County Council have identified some sections of the N56 where minor works would generate significant improvements.
The Need for the Project
The section of the existing N56 from the northern end of the recently completed Mountaintop to Illistrin project to Kilmacrennan village has been identified as needing urgent improvement. The road alignment falls well below normal national roads standards. Restricted visibility, both on the N56 and at junctions/accesses, is commonplace. Roadside development is extensive and in some instances this development is located very close to the road edge. Improvement works to this section of the N56 has been a priority for the Council for a number of years now however funding has always been problematic.
Description of the Project
The proposed project involves the improvement of approximately 3.0km of the N56 from the northern end of the Mountaintop to Illistrin project to the speed limits in Kilmacrennan village. The design has sought to retain as much of the existing road as practical and where necessary off-line sections have been developed.
Current Status
The preliminary design of the new alignment has now been completed and the Part 8 planning process is underway. The last day for receipt of submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development was the 18th November, 2011. It is expected that the Part 8 planning will be considered at the Donegal County Council Meeting on 30 January 2012.
The Part 8 planning documents can be viewed at the following link;
Doc 1
Doc 2
Doc 3
RPS Consulting Engineers have been appointed to prepare the detailed 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 in April 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.
