Investment in NI road maintenance continues

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has confirmed an investment of £18.8 million on road schemes in the Mid-Ulster Council area during the 2015/16 financial year.

Minister Hazzard said: “This investment will bring significant benefits to everyone in the Mid-Ulster area for decades to come.

“Work continues on the £35m A31 Magherafelt Bypass and the scheme is on target to open later this year. Completion of this project will provide significant benefits not only to through traffic but also to the many residents and businesses within Magherafelt.

“Work on the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dualling project continues to progress with the intention that the scheme will commence in autumn 2016 and completion in 2020.”

The Minister continued: “Earlier this week, I announced a £10m investment to improve the condition of 1,000 rural roads.  This package will help to stop deterioration and repair severe defects on the local road network. In addition, £5m pounds will go towards roads maintenance work including an additional grass cutting per year.

“In addition, the majority of potholes will now be repaired (those greater than 50mm on rural low trafficked roads and greater than 20mm elsewhere) and the renewal of road markings will be accelerated.

“An additional gully clean will also be programmed in all urban areas and the repair of street lighting outages will continue into the autumn.

“The Department is currently considering areas in greatest need and will draw up programmes to enable work to start as soon as possible.”