€600 million confirmed for A5 as government commits to Donegal Ten T road projects

The Government has today confirmed €600 million allocation to the A5 Northwest Transport Corridor and funding for the Donegal Ten T projects. 

The A5 is the Derry to Aughnacloy single carriageway and it is the main road linking Donegal. The A5 is due to be upgraded to a dual carriageway as part of the reform. 

The upgrade is vital for both road safety and economic development of the region. The restoration of Stormont, NI Assembly and Executive played a pivotal role in the development of the A5.

The government has announced that €600 million has been allocated for the A5 Northwest Transport Corridor and a further €200 million funding has been announced for various other Shared Island projects which includes the Donegal Ten T. 

The Donegal Ten T road project involves three different road sections - the N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar, N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham and N12 Manorcunningham to Lifford/Strabane/A5 Link.

“Current infrastructure is not up to the adequate standard needed for the proper development of this region,” Donegal TD Joe McHugh said. 

“When directors from major companies come to Donegal, they have to travel on a road that is not up to scratch.”

“The Government decision to allocate €600 million to the A5 Derry to Aughnacloy Northwest Transport Corridor alongside its commitment to continue to progress the Donegal Ten T Projects represents a major vote of confidence in the future of the North West,” according to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue.

“The A5 North West Transport Corridor is to provide 85km of dual carriageway from Derry to the border at Aughnacloy. 

“As well as delivering a long overdue connection to our county and roadway that will enable the economic development of Northern Ireland, the road is also crucial from a road safety point of view as more than fifty lives have been lost on the existing A5 route since the upgrade was planned in 2006.” 

The A5 is a notorious road for collisions and fatalities having claimed more than 50 lives since 2006. The funding is required to put greater safety and prevention measures in place. 

“The A5 is the most dangerous road on the island and it is long past time for the Government to honour its commitment to fund 50% of the proposed upgrade,” Donegal TD Pearse Doherty shared.

“It is critical to prevent further lives from being lost, and to enhance the social and economic wellbeing of the NorthWest region.”