11 May 2001

GREEN LIGHT FOR NEWTOWNSTEWART AND CRAIGAVON ROAD SCHEMES

Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, MLA, today gave the go ahead for the A5 Newtownstewart Bypass scheme and the A3 Northway road improvement scheme in Portadown.

The Minister made his announcement at the Blacktop Seminar 2001 in Newry, which was organised by the Construction Industry Training Board’s Asphalt Training and Liaison Group.

The Minister said: "The Newtownstewart Bypass scheme, costing around £8 million, will involve the provision of a 2.6km long single carriageway bypass of the village.

"The bypass will lead to considerable improvements in journey times on the important route between Londonderry, Strabane, Omagh and beyond and will significantly reduce environmental disturbance in the village."

The necessary statutory procedures for the scheme are now substantially complete and funding for the scheme has been secured. The tender process for the ‘Design and Build’ contract is well advanced and it is anticipated that work on the ground will commence later this summer with the contract taking some 18 months to complete.

Funding of £1.3M has also been secured and the necessary land has been acquired for the A3 Northway scheme. The scheme involves the widening of Northway to two lanes in either direction between Corcrain Roundabout and Mill Avenue together with other improvements.

Construction work is planned to commence in early June 2001 with an anticipated contract period of approximately 26 weeks during which time Northway will remain open to traffic.

The Minister said: "Northway provides a vital link between the M1 motorway, Armagh and on to the Republic of Ireland. Its widening and other associated works will lead to considerable improvements in journey times between these towns and will facilitate improved public transport arrangements in Portadown."