An overhaul of one of Donegal’s most notorious stretches of roads is now on the cards.
Over the years the stretch of N56 road close to the Log Cabin in Creeslough has been the scene of countless accidents.
But now monies have been located to carry out upgrade works to the road.
Cllr. Seamus Ó Domhnaill has today confirmed that investigation works will be carried out shortly.
The NRA have confirmed that when the investigation works and design works are completed the project will be funded, preliminary works need to be carried out over the next few months to give a definitive cost for the works.
The problem at the location is that the roadway is subsiding due to the boggy nature of the strata which exists below the carriageway.
In welcoming the announcement Cllr. Ó Domhnaill commented “ This is the most positive progression which has been achieved in regards to this now notorious stretch of road which is treacherous to say the least and it indicates that the NRA have listened to the may representations which have been made by local politicians over the last period.
“The scope of works will be to stabilise the road and to overlay the carriageway so as to eradicate the slunks and hollows which are causing cars to career off the road where there is a very large drop along the road edge. This work will also include safety measures at the Derryfad junction before the Log Cabin to make access onto and off the N56 safer”.
It is expected the works will cost in the region of €350,000 and it is a positive departure that the NRA are happy to fund the works when investigation works in regards to structural stability of the road edge is complete which will allow for a full scope of works be determined and a proper costing made for the project which the NRA will in turn fund.
Ó Domhnaill stated “This is a victory for the Creeslough community who have been extremely active and determined to make this road safer and essentially will save further persons from harm or worse in car accidents. I was pleased to work with the Community to deliver this project and I remain committed to having the design and investigative works carried out in as timely a manner as is possible so that this project can move to construction stage at the earliest possible juncture”
In the short term Ó Domhnaill has secured advance warning signage which will advise motorists of the dangers which are along the N56 between Creeslough and Termon at the Log Cabin, whilst this simple measure coupled with a small allocation of approximately €12,000 which was spent on the road surface in late in 2015 is but a temporary measure it will allow for the road users to have advance warning and an improved surface until the major capital project will commence.
In summation Ó Domhnaill stated “ I expect construction to commence in late 2016 or very early in 2017 which will improve the surface of the road and ensure that the road slippage will cease thus making the carriageway safer into the future. This road acts as the main artery for the people of Creeslough, Dunfanaghy & Cloughaneely into Letterkenny and further a field and I was pleased to act on behalf of these communities to bring this issue to fruition.
“I attended a meeting with the NRA in Dublin in December where I was successful in impressing upon the officials the necessity that there was with these safety works and I am pleased to now be in a position to move this badly needed project one step closer to construction through the representations which I have made.”