The Minister saw, first hand, the work being undertaken to construct this Strategic Road Improvement Scheme on the Belfast to Dublin Road. He said: "This major scheme will complete the dualling of the main Belfast to Dublin road and will deliver reduced congestion, better journey times and improved safety."
The project forms part of Roads Service’s Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) - Package 2 contract awarded to Amey Lagan Roads Limited and announced by the Minister in December 2007.
Construction work is being carried out by a joint venture of Lagan Construction Limited and Ferrovial Agroman (Ireland) Limited.
The contract also includes construction of two overbridges and two underpasses on the A1 between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland; the A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley dual carriageway scheme; and single carriageway realignments of the A4 at Annaghilla and A5 at Tullyvar.
The DBFO Package is supported by the Strategic Investment Board and is included within the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, a sustainable programme of capital investment in transport, education, health, housing and water over the next ten years.
Notes to Editors:
1. The overall capital value, including construction, land and preparation costs, of DBFO Package 2 is some £316million.
2. Amey Lagan Roads Limited is a consortium formed by Amey Ventures Limited and Lagan Projects Limited. Construction work is being carried out by a joint venture of Lagan Construction Limited and Ferrovial Agroman (Ireland) Limited and maintenance services are now being provided by Amey Infrastructure Services Limited.
3. Improvements on the A1 have a capital cost of some £182million:
- A1 Beechill to Cloghogue dual carriageway scheme
Dualling of approximately 12.1km of the A1 between Beechill and Cloghogue to a high quality dual carriageway standard incorporating fully grade separated junctions, central median safety barrier and a hard shoulder. The alignment between Sheepbridge and Camlough Road is largely off-line while the stretch between Camlough Road and Cloghogue is on line.
- A1 Junction Improvements
Provision of overbridge or underpass at four junctions - Dromore Road, Hillsborough, Banbridge Road, Dromore, Dromore Road, Banbridge, and Dublin Road, Loughbrickland, are also included in this package.
4. Other DBFO Package 2 improvements are: -
- Dualling A4 from Dungannon to Ballygawley:
- Single carriageway improvements to the A4 at Annaghilla
- Single carriageway improvements to the A5 at Tullyvar
5. Photocall/media opportunities available. Call DRD Press Office for details.
6. Media queries to: Emma FlynnDavies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
