Cloghogue Junction Opening Will Help Christmas Traffic

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy today welcomed the opening of the new flyover junction at Cloghogue, on the A1 Newry Bypass.

The Minister said: “This new road junction will provide more capacity in the road network particularly for Belfast and Dublin bound traffic and will help to facilitate the continued increase in Christmas cross border traffic. Belfast and Dublin bound traffic will no longer have to negotiate the Cloghogue roundabout, and the new flyover junction will also be of considerable benefit to local traffic entering and leaving Newry.

“Roads Service, the project company - Amey Lagan Roads and its contractor Lagan Ferrovial have worked hard in recent weeks in order to make this flyover junction and linking slip roads available on the run up to Christmas. Given the continued high levels of cross-border traffic, this latest development will be warmly welcomed by both the travelling public and local business community.

“The new stretch of carriageway will continue to be subject to a 40 mph speed limit in the vicinity of the road works. This speed limit is for the safety of both the public and construction personnel and will also assist motorists as they become familiar with the new road layout. ”

The new road layout includes a short section of three-lane carriageway immediately south of the new junction, between Cloghogue and Ellisholding Road. Motorists are asked to exercise particular care and attention as they negotiate this new road layout, observing the speed limit and direction signs that have been provided. There will be one lane in each direction over the bridge for Belfast and Dublin bound traffic.

The A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue scheme is scheduled to be completed several months ahead of schedule in summer 2010 and is part of the £316million Design, Build, Finance and Operate Package two. This also includes the A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley dual carriageway scheme, the provision of two flyovers and two underpasses on the A1 between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland and single carriageway realignments to the A4 at Annaghilla and A5 at Tullyvar.

Notes to editors:

1. Contractors may need to temporarily close Cloghogue Junction again, in the New Year to finish off any outstanding works.
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Regional Development Press Office on 028 9054 0817. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.