Minister Cairns Opens Ł9.7 Million Throughpass In Omagh

13 October 2006
MINISTER CAIRNS OPENS Ł9.7 MILLION THROUGHPASS IN OMAGH
A Ł9.7 million road scheme in Omagh is a very welcome development for the people of the town, Roads Minister, David Cairns said today.
Speaking at the official opening of the third stage of the Omagh Throughpass scheme, the Minister also stated that the scheme would bring economic and environmental benefits to the Omagh area as well as significantly reducing journey times along the A5 road.
The Minister said: "Construction of Stage Three of the Omagh Throughpass, is the most recent of a number of successful improvement schemes on the A5. Stage 2 of Strabane Bypass was opened in 2003 and Newtownstewart Bypass opened the previous year. Both have produced real benefits to those using the A5.
"These improvements represent a significant investment in the roads infrastructure in the North West.
"Stage Three of the Omagh Throughpass, will provide further benefits to users of the A5 with journey times being significantly improved on this key transport corridor.
"While there was the inevitable disruption at times during the construction of this final stage of the Throughpass, the completed scheme is now providing a safer and more pleasant environment.
"I am grateful to all those people whose land was required to facilitate the scheme and the co-operation of those who are directly affected during the construction period.
"I also wish to thank the main contractor, Deane Public Works Ltd, and all their sub-contractors, for their part in the construction of the road.
"Finally, I wish to thank my own Department's Roads Service staff, who were involved in both the early design of the scheme and Atkins' civil engineering consultants who were responsible for the detailed design and supervision elements of the scheme."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The 2.3 kilometres Omagh Throughpass Stage Three scheme involved the construction of a new road from the existing Throughpass, at the Great Northern Road, to the Dublin Road at Doogary, south of Lissan Bridge, along with upgrading of the Crevenagh Road. The Throughpass scheme also involved the construction of:

A road bridge (to carry the existing Dublin Road over the new stage of the Throughpass)

A river bridge (to carry the Throughpass over the Drumragh River)

A roundabout at the Crevenagh Road / Stage 3 junction with eastbound DAL (differential acceleration lane)

The 0.7 kilometres Crevenagh Road scheme involved:

Widening, upgrading and realignment of the section of the Crevenagh Road from the Swinging Bars Roundabout to its tie-in with the Throughpass at the roundabout

Footways/cycleways from the Irishtown Road junction to the High School.

A "Toucan" crossing has been provided at the High School to facilitate both pedestrians and cyclists in the vicinity of the school.

Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0372.

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