New Northern Irish Road Development Proposed

NORTHERN IRELAND - In an announcement on Tuesday the Northern Irish Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, has identified the preferred route for the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

The new road shall be an 86km long dual carriageway from Londonderry to Aughnacloy and is estimated to cost between £650m and £850m. It is hoped that the development could reduce journey times by 20 minutes and will take most of the long distance traffic, particularly heavy good vehicles, away from the existing A5.

The minister said the road was a significant step in improving connections between Dublin, Derry and Donegal and would facilitate possible future road links between the A5 and the A6. He also addressed concerns of property owners who may be affected by the route.

“I am pleased to say that our designers have succeeded in developing a preferred route which impacts directly on only a very small number of dwellings,” the Minister stated.

He added that: “Staff from Roads Service and its project consultants, Mouchel, will be visiting those dwelling owners to personally inform them of the line of the preferred route.”

Construction of the dual carriageway is expected to commence in 2012 and be completed in 2015.

(pic: Minister Murphy at a charity event)

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