Work to start on Cockhill Bridge after contracts signed

Contracts for the construction of Cockhill Bridge have been signed with work due to start within weeks, Donegal TD Joe McHugh has announced today.

The overall €3M project will see the construction of the new bridge on the outskirts of Buncrana as well as new approach roads to the crossing.

Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Contractors have been awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge after a tendering process.

“It’s no secret at this stage that the issue of a new bridge at Cockhill has been raised for decades and I am delighted as TD for Donegal and as a Government Minister that we were able to deliver it,” said McHugh.

“I’ve been informed today by Donegal County Council that the contracts have been signed and the contractors plan to be on site beginning work within weeks.

“The construction of the bridge and completion of approach roads will be in place by early 2018. This is great news for Inishowen today.”

Cllr John Ryan, chair of the Roads SPC on Donegal County Council, said hard work had paid off.

“The bridge will be completed within seven months with the other works on approach roads being delivered in the following four or five months,” said Cllr Ryan.

“I remember being on a delegation to meet then Minister Pascal O Donoghue in Dublin in 2015 and I said afterwards that we felt confident that this Fine Gael Government would deliver for Cockhill and it has after the failure of successive Fianna Fail governments to deliver.

“There has been an incredible turnaround on this project, from cutting the sod last May, to construction in the next few weeks so that by this time next year we will be driving over a safe, modern bridge at Cockhill.”

Donegal County Councillor Bernard McGuinness has also welcomed the announcement.

“Half a century of campaigning for this bridge is coming to an end,” said Cllr McGuinness

“Let’s be clear about this; it took Joe McHugh to get the funding for Cockhill and he deserves enormous credit for it.”

ENDS