Collin and Longlands Bridges Open

The new Collin and Longlands Bridges over the M2 motorway in north Belfast are expected to open this weekend.

After two years of construction work, the new Collin and Longlands Bridges will be completed and fully opened for two lanes of traffic on Saturday 11 April. The original Collin and Longlands Bridges, which were 50 years old, have been replaced as part of the M2 improvements scheme, between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions.

The M2 motorway, between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions, will temporarily be opened to three traffic lanes in each direction to allow the newly installed motorway communications system to be tested from Thursday 16 April. This involves remote testing of traffic detectors installed in each lane of the carriageway.

During this period, the hard shoulder on this section of the M2 will not be available. Drivers using the M2 should take extra care and be prepared for changes in the road layout. The testing is expected to be completed by Sunday the 19 April when the M2 will be reduced back to two traffic lanes in each direction to allow the outstanding road works to be finished.

The M2 improvements scheme is currently on target to be completed by the end of April or early May 2009.

Notes to Editors:

1. During the works it was necessary to maintain access for pedestrians and traffic to the Collinbridge estate and along the Longlands Road (Arthur Road). This influenced the method of construction used to replace both bridges. This involved firstly diverting public utilities to and strengthening one half of the old bridge. This half of the bridge also provided pedestrian and vehicular access while the other half of the old bridge was demolished and half of the new bridge rebuilt in its place. Pedestrians and traffic were then transferred to the newly constructed half of the bridge and the remaining half of the old bridge demolished and re-built.

2. With the bridge works completed the temporary traffic lights that were used to control traffic at the Collin and Longlands Bridges during construction will be removed and the Longlands / Whitwell Road junction will revert to a priority junction

3. The traffic detectors in the carriageway of the M2 are part of the motorway control system which includes incident detection. This system is managed from the Belfast Traffic Control Centre which monitors traffic conditions across the network.

4. The M2 Improvements Scheme is part of a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract which is being funded through a Public Private Partnership.

5. The works are being undertaken by HMC, a joint venture which comprises local contractors; Graham Construction and Northstone as well as German contractor Bilfinger Berger.

6. Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.