The RHA has welcomed the announcement that building work on the Ballynahinch bypass in County Down should begin in three years.
The Department for Infrastructure said work should commence in 2028-29 with the road set to open two years later.The scheme was first mooted nine years ago and is projected to cost up to £60m.
Martin Reid, RHA Policy Director, said:“This is good news for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland. Congestion stymies growth and costs the economy more than £30bn each year. The new bypass will make journeys more efficient and will improve the vital connectivity that drives the economy.”
The proposed A24 Ballynahinch Bypass would run from a new roundabout at the junction of the A24 Belfast Road and the A21 Saintfield Road to a new roundabout located at the existing junction of the B2 Downpatrick Road and the A24 Drumaness Road. A compact grade separated junction would connect the B7 Crossgar Road with the proposed bypass.
Overtaking opportunities would be provided for traffic leaving both roundabouts to travel along the proposed bypass. A shared footway/cycleway extending between the terminal roundabouts would be included within the proposed A24 Ballynahinch Bypass scheme.
A ‘Park & Share’ facility would be constructed on the northern side of the proposed Saintfield Road Roundabout between the A24 Belfast Road and A21 Saintfield Road.
