€800 Million Donegal Road Project Set to Transform Transport Connectivity in North-West Ireland

Dublin: County Donegal County Council is moving forward with an ambitious €800 million road infrastructure programme aimed at significantly improving transport connectivity across the north-west of Ireland.

The “Donegal Ten-T Priority Route Improvement Project”, approved by Cabinet in 2024, is regarded as the largest transport infrastructure investment in the modern history of the county. The project is expected to play a major role in boosting regional connectivity, infrastructure development and socio-economic growth.

Major Focus on Key Transport Corridors

The project is designed to ease traffic congestion in major urban centres, including Letterkenny, the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, as well as Lifford.

The development will focus on three major sections of the national road network and includes:

• The N15/N13 Ballybofey–Stranorlar Urban Area scheme
• The N56/N13 route from Letterkenny to Manorcunningham
• A new Swilly Bridge project
• The N14 Strabane and A5 link route from Manorcunningham to Lifford

According to the council, the initiative will address several long-standing transport and infrastructure challenges across Donegal’s national roads.

The project also includes more than 60 kilometres of integrated active travel infrastructure, along with transport hubs and measures aimed at decarbonisation and climate resilience.

Officials say the development is intended not only to improve mobility but also to support environmentally sustainable transport solutions across the region.

Public Consultation and Land Acquisition

An eight-week public consultation process will now take place, allowing members of the public to make submissions regarding the planning application and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

An oral hearing may also be held concerning cross-border issues involving Northern Ireland.

The National Roads Office’s Land Liaison Team is expected to engage directly with affected landowners and property holders during the process.

The proposed compulsory purchase order includes:

• 34 residential properties
• Four commercial properties
• Six non-residential properties

Construction Expected to Begin in 2028

The next phases of the project will include land acquisition, pre-construction works and the construction tendering process.

Donegal County Council said it hopes construction can begin by 2028.

Donegal’s transport connectivity remains closely linked to routes passing through Northern Ireland, with approximately 90% of the county’s border shared with counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, while the remaining 10% borders County Leitrim.

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