The Minister said that the works, which will take 18 months to complete, are of significant local importance.
He said: “This project has considerable local support and I am pleased to see the work started. The improvements will greatly improve journey times for both strategic traffic and other road users in the local community and will, in turn, contribute towards the continued economic development of the north and efforts to improve road safety.
“Since taking up office I have been committed to tackling the years of under investment in the north west and to the delivery of balanced regional infrastructure throughout all of the north. There is no doubt that the construction of this dual carriageway will greatly improve journey times to the west and will be of significant benefit to both strategic traffic and other road users in the local area. “
Construction of the scheme is likely to cause disruption to traffic on a phased basis, particularly on the sections of the route to be widened. Traffic management arrangements have been carefully planned, and phasing of the works will attempt to limit this disruption as much as possible.
The Minister added: ”I would like to acknowledge the impact that this scheme has had on the affected landowners, in some cases this impact has been significant in terms of land loss. I would thank them for their co-operation to date and in anticipation of their continued co-operation through out the construction period.”
Following the sod cutting ceremony, the Minister made a site visit to the £6million A26 Ballee Road East to Ballymena Bypass Scheme. The Minister met with officials from both Roads Service and the contractor FP McCann to discuss progress on the project to date. The major improvement scheme will provide a direct connection from the A26 Ballee Road East dual carriageway, underneath the Larne Road Roundabout to the M2 Ballymena Bypass.
Notes to Editors:
- The A2 is part of the Northern Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Derry via Coleraine. It is the main road connecting Limavady to Derry and provides links to the Maydown and Campsey industrial zones and to the City of Derry Airport, the key air transport hub in the northwest.
- Media queries to the Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
