Main construction work on the A6 Dualling Scheme to begin in the next few weeks

Main construction work on the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson Dualling Scheme will begin in the next few weeks.

Work will take place on the sections from Randalstown to Toome and from Moyola to Castledawson Roundabout.

The £160million scheme is an Executive Flagship project which will deliver reductions in peak journey times by at least a quarter, remove several bottlenecks along the route and also significantly improve road safety for 18,000 people using the road daily. The local community will also benefit as strategic traffic will be diverted from local roads, improving road safety for other travellers such as pedestrians and cyclists.

The entire scheme is expected to be substantially complete in early 2021, with the Randalstown to Toome section open to traffic as soon as 2019.

The A6 is a strategically important transport corridor, strengthening the links between Belfast, Derry and the wider North West.  The ongoing work will also benefit the local construction industry delivering local jobs and investment, with £2.30 of benefit to the local economy for every £1 of capital investment. Social clauses within the contract will also ensure the creation of between 15-20 new paid employment and training opportunities over the construction period.

Throughout, the Department has continued to meet environmental commitments and has engaged in a comprehensive and sustained consultation process to ensure there will be no adverse impact on any protected flora or fauna including the protected Whooper Swans.

In relation to the contested section near Mossbawn, only essential work involving alterations to utility supplies, minor archaeology / geotechnical testing and ground preparation to the south of the existing Bypass will be completed at this time.  The Department will work to bring any future legal proceedings regarding this section of the route to a conclusion as soon as possible.

The Department has carefully programmed the works operations and traffic management arrangements to keep delays to a minimum. The public will be kept informed by advance signing and through the Department’s Trafficwatchni website.

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Elisha McCallion welcomed the announcement.

Mrs McCallion said: “The A6 upgrade represents an investment of over £160m and has long been a key priority for Sinn Féin.

“It is a key infrastructural project to help redress regional imbalance which was significantly progressed when given the green light by then Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard.

“Today’s announcement is an endorsement of the former Minister’s focus on developing the North West’s infrastructure. The way is now clear for this essential project to finally be delivered.

“When the project is completed in 2019, it will greatly reduce travel times between Derry and Belfast, a development which will be greatly welcomed by the many thousands who use this road daily.

“It will also add to the attractiveness of the North West as a location for inward investment and job creation.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock also welcomed the news.

She said: "I am delighted that the Department is advancing with this hugely significant strategic transport investment that will great improve the connectivity of this city and region to both Belfast and Dublin. The development of the A6 is essential if our city and region is to attract investment and regeneration and is a key element of our strategic growth plans moving forward. The A6 development will significantly reduce road journeys, particularly during peak times and improve road safety and improve connectivity between the North West region and the rest of Northern Ireland.

"I am also delighted to hear that the works will also provide a boost to the local construction industry which will in turn benefit the local economy, providing employment and new training opportunities. The Council looks forward to working in close partnership with the Department on this important project," she added.