200 submissions lodged on Donegal’s €800m TEN-T project - Donegal Daily

Around 200 submissions have been made on Donegal’s landmark TEN-T road project as the county council prepares its response ahead of a key October deadline.Doneg...

Around 200 submissions have been made on Donegal’s landmark TEN-T road project as the county council prepares its response ahead of a key October deadline.

Donegal County Council has written directly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Infrastructure seeking to have the project designated as Critical Infrastructure.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is supporting the designation, which would put the project on a fast-tracked pathway through existing approval processes.

The project would not bypass any steps, but would go to the top of the queue for consideration in every public body to eliminate delays.

The latest update was provided in response to a question from Letterkenny Councillor Ciaran Brogan, who sought the current status and timeframe for the TEN-T project, incorporating the Letterkenny to Manorcunningham relief road including the Bonagee Link (the new bridge over the River Swilly) the Manorcunningham to Lifford section and the Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass.

The TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project was formally published in May, beginning the statutory planning process with An Coimisiún Pleanála. The public consultation subsequently closed on 10th July.

The council said approximately 200 submissions were received.

These fall broadly into two categories, covering CPO and land and property matters, as well as environmental issues.

Donegal County Council now has until 23rd October 2026 to respond to the submissions.

The council said it will then be a matter for An Coimisiún Pleanála to determine the applications, including whether an oral hearing will be required before a decision is made.

With an overall project cost of between €780m-€915m, the Ten-T will involve the purchase of around 1,500 acres of land, affecting approximately 475 property owners.

Thirty-four homes will be acquired through compulsory purchase orders, along with four commercial parcels, five uninhabited homes and 1,470 acres of land.

Engagement with landowners and key stakeholders is through Transport Infrastructure Ireland working in partnership with Donegal County Council through the National Roads office.

The overall scheme will involve approximately 42km of road infrastructure, alongside more than 60km of integrated active travel infrastructure.

The project is intended to provide long-awaited traffic relief in Letterkenny, Ballybofey-Stranorlar and Lifford, while improving links between Donegal and the wider North West.

If Donegal County Council receives approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála, it will proceed with land acquisition, advanced works, and the construction tendering process.

The earliest possible start date for construction is 2028, subject to funding and procurement.