Minister opens new motorway slip roads, Antrim

New slip roads at Antrim Hospital costing £3 million were officially opened today by Roads Minister Conor Murphy.

Construction of the slip roads provides direct access from Antrim Hospital to the M2 motorway for traffic travelling both east towards Belfast and west towards Randalstown and Toome.

The Minister said the works, which have been ongoing for a year, were of significant local importance: “This project had considerable local support from within the Antrim area and from the Hospital authorities and I am pleased to now see the work completed. The new slip roads will improve access from the hospital for patients and staff, and will greatly improve journey times for ambulances responding to calls from Antrim Hospital.

“These works are part of a much larger package of improvements to the M1, Westlink and M2 motorway, and are part of the ongoing strategy of improving the Strategic Road Network in Northern Ireland," said Mr Murphy.

The slip roads were constructed with minimal disruption to traffic, as the works were largely adjacent to the motorway. Also, during construction access had been maintained through the works to the hospital for emergency vehicles, patients, staff and visitors.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The scheme involved constructing a new roundabout on the north side of the M2, enlarging the existing hospital roundabout and the construction of two new on slips onto the M2 motorway.
2. The scheme is part of a package of improvement works funded by the private sector using a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) type of contract.
3. Roads Service DBFO Package 1 also includes major works to improve the M1 and Westlink and to widen the M2 motorway between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions.
4. The contract includes the maintenance of some 60 km of motorway and trunk roads for a period of 30 years.
5. Roads Service DBFO Package 1 was awarded to Highway Management Group, which is an international consortium comprising John Graham (Dromore) Limited, Northstone (NI) Ltd (formerly Farrans Ltd) and Bilfinger Berger.
6. Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.