Major Fintra bridge realignment to become single construction contract  

The revelation that two separate contracts for the building of the new Fintra bridge and upgrading of its environs, back towards Fintra Bridge are to be merged into one, was welcomed at the monthly meeting of the Donegal Municipal District, as it would ultimately entail a shorter build time. 

And €2 million set aside for pre-works this year would now become part of the bigger investment for the totality of the development, close to Killybegs. 

Mark Sweeney, who is the Acting Area Manager for Roads and Transportation said that while initially the plan was to be a first contract for pre-works to take place at Fintra generally and that would be merged into a separate construction contract for the Bridge itself, had been changed. 

However, while this might initially set back the start date of the project, the main advantage would be that with one contractor doing the entire job, it would be finished within a shorter time frame. It would also eradicate potential snag problems overlapping from one contract to the other.

Tenders for the multi million euro contract would go out in October, with an estimated start date for early 2024, he said.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind.) said that this was progressive for all of south west Donegal.

“We were going to start it at the Fintra beach junction and then work towards Fintra School and start that part of the contract first. 

CLLR NIAMH KENNEDY

“And there was €2 million allocated for that this year. But what they are doing now is putting in the contract for the entire job and from talking to the Department, this is the better option and way to go. 

“It is probably more secure in the end because once the contract goes out to tender, that will be October, and once they have signed up, work would start at the beginning of 2024.”

She said that she was not sure of the time frame itself, but estimated it could take up to two years “but the main thing is that it is going in the right direction”.

She assured constituents that the €2 million that was allocated for 2023 at Fintra would not be lost and this would be added to, by a larger pocket of money for the bridge work themselves next year.

AERIAL VIEW OF FINTRA BRIDGE NEAR KILLYBEGS

“That will speed up the whole process of the Fintra Bridge road realignment altogether because once it is out for contract it will be for the entire job.

“It will be a game changer for Killybegs and the entire south west Donegal. Absolutely, no doubt about it and what it is going to do as well, you are going to have your cycleways and you are going to have your walkways and paths on the old section of the road.

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“Then the new road will be specifically for the heavy goods vehicles, the tour buses and others that are coming into the area. 

“It will be a very very welcome addition as well as opening up for the area and linking up with work already started in Killybegs, as people can already see.”