23 May 2001

CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES CONTRACT FOR REPLACEMENT RAILWAY BRIDGE

Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, today announced that the contract for the £5.5 million Tillysburn Railway Bridge replacement scheme has been awarded to Farrans (Construction) Ltd.

Work on the 70-week contract on the A2 Sydenham Bypass will begin later this month.

The Minister said: "A structural assessment of the existing bridge established that it should be replaced as part of the Roads Service on-going Bridge Strengthening Programme.

"The scheme will involve the replacement of the existing bridge carrying the Sydenham Bypass over the Belfast to Bangor railway line at Tillysburn. The new bridge will include a hard shoulder, cycle lane and footpath in each direction."

During the initial planning of the scheme, Roads Service carried out a review of existing traffic management arrangements at Belfast City Airport. At present, citybound traffic leaving the airport has to travel towards Bangor to the Tillysburn junction before returning towards Belfast. This adds to the volume of traffic using the junction.

Mr Campbell said: "The scheme to replace the existing road over rail bridge will include the provision of an underpass. When completed, citybound traffic leaving the airport will be able to access the underpass at Depot Road and pass under the Sydenham Bypass.

"On emerging from the underpass beside the railway line, traffic will join other citybound traffic on the Bypass. Belfast City Airport is contributing towards the cost of the scheme."

During the works, a temporary structure over the railway line south of the existing bridge will provide a diversion for all four lanes of traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians. The traffic signals at the new entrance to Belfast City Airport will include a temporary provision to allow citybound traffic leaving the Airport to turn right towards Belfast. This will avoid traffic having to pass through the diversionary route twice.

The Minister said: "It is essential that the bridge is replaced and the provision of the underpass will greatly enhance the access to and from the City Airport on this busy arterial route into Belfast.

"I would, however, warn the 57,000 drivers who use the Sydenham Bypass every day that they might experience some delays and I would ask for their patience and consideration during the contract period," he said.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Farrans (Construction) Ltd, who were awarded the £5.5 million Design and Build contract, are based in Dunmurry.