A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway opens ahead of schedule
Thursday, 29 July 2010Transport Minister Conor Murphy today officially opened the 12 km A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway five months ahead of schedule with the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Junior Minister Robin Newton. The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD also took part in the event.
The scheme extends around the northern and western outskirts of the city of Newry to complete the upgrading of the A1 Sprucefield to the border route to dual carriageway standard.
Conor Murphy said: “This project is the final link on the key strategic route between Belfast and Dublin on Ireland’s Eastern Seaboard and makes a substantial positive contribution to the social and economic well-being of our communities both north and south. The completion of this 12km stretch of new road from Beech Hill to Cloghogue, at a cost of just over £150million, marks the achievement of the Department’s commitment to upgrade the remaining section of this road to full dual carriageway standard.
“The A1 also provides access, via Newry, to the port of Warrenpoint, one of our strategically important regional gateways and convenient road connections to the cities of Lisburn and Newry and the towns of Dromore, Banbridge, Dundalk and Drogheda.
“This project has been successfully completed five months ahead of schedule and it will significantly improve journey times and safety for all. I am sure, like me, many of you have watched with interest and anticipation this new stretch of dual carriageway take shape and are now looking forward to actually travelling on it and experiencing the important benefits that it will provide. ”
The scheme involved substantial rock cuttings with 1.2 million tonnes of rock excavated to make way for the new dual carriageway. In line with current good construction practice all of this material was processed on site and used in the construction of the new road. Over two million man hours were successfully worked on the project, which employed 500 people at the peak of the scheme.
The scheme includes five flyover-type junctions and 17 new bridges including a 190m long viaduct carrying the new dual carriageway over the Newry River, the canal and the Tandragee Road.
Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness said: “Investments in road improvements, such as this key project, meet the Executive’s strategic objectives in terms of promoting economic growth and competitiveness and balanced regional development. Transportation infrastructure is a key factor in sustainable economic growth. This stretch of road is an essential element of the development of dual carriageways and motorways along the Eastern Seaboard, connecting Larne through Belfast to Dublin and on to Rosslare. This will not only reduce transport times and costs, but create opportunities along the seaboard, linking the major ports and our economies. As we all face the outworking of the recession now is the time to build the economy, to take advantage of the opportunities and to deliver jobs and investment.”
Junior Minister, Robin Newton said: “Completion of this scheme demonstrates the Executive's commitment to improving this key route the importance of which has been reflected in its inclusion as part of the Trans European Transport Network. In the Programme for Government, the Executive sets out its vision to develop a modern and efficient highway network. This vision recognises the importance of our road network in facilitating the efficient movement of people, goods and services and assisting in growing a dynamic and innovative economy. ”
Environmental considerations have been an important aspect of this project, not least because of its location on the outskirts of the city of Newry and on the boundary of the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme includes mitigating measures relating to noise, landscaping, water quality and the protection of vulnerable animals. Motorists now have new views across this attractive landscape, including views of the impressive 18-arch Craigmore Viaduct on the nearby Belfast – Dublin railway line.
Minister Murphy thanked Roads Service, Amey Lagan Roads, Lagan Construction and Ferrovial Agroman Ltd for their work completing the scheme ahead of schedule and also the local community for their assistance during the development and construction of the scheme.
This project was part funded by the European Union, TEN-T (Trans-European Network Transport) Programme.
Notes to editors:
1. This official opening of the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue scheme marks the completion of 12.1 km of high standard dual carriageway. The A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway has been constructed as part Package 2 of Roads Service’s Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) programme award to Amey Lagan Roads Limited in December 2007.
2. Amey Lagan Roads Limited is a consortium formed by Amey Ventures Limited and Lagan Projects Limited. Construction works is being carried out by a joint venture of Lagan Construction Limited and Ferrovial Agroman (Ireland) Limited with maintenance services being provided by Amey Infrastructure Services Limited.
3. Improvements on the A1 include:
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 grade separation at four junctions - Dromore Road, Hillsborough, Banbridge Road, Dromore, Dromore Road, Banbridge, and Dublin Road, Loughbrickland, completed in 2009 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. DBFO Package 2 also includes the operation and maintenance of the A1 from Sprucefield to the border, the M1 Motorway from Sprucefield to Dungannon and the A4 from Dungannon to Ballygawley for 30 years.
6. Roads Service’s scheme development consultant’s team for the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual carriageway scheme was Scott Wilson and for the A1 Junction Improvements was AEcom.
7. All media queries should be directed to DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
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