M2 drivers face nine days of disruption as £1.5m resurfacing scheme set to commence in July

Motorists using one of Northern Ireland’s busiest commuter routes are being warned to expect delays, diversions and overnight closures later this month as a £1.5 million resurfacing project gets underway on the M2.

The major road improvement scheme will affect the northbound carriageway between Junction 4 at Sandyknowes and Junction 5 at Templepatrick, with work scheduled to run from Friday 17 July until Monday 27 July.

Thousands of drivers travelling between Belfast, Ballymena, Antrim and the wider north of the province are expected to be impacted during the nine-day programme, which will involve overnight motorway closures, lane restrictions and the introduction of a contraflow system.

The Department said the investment is aimed at improving the condition of the motorway surface on a heavily used stretch of road that carries significant commuter and freight traffic every day.

Series of closures and restrictions planned

To facilitate the resurfacing works safely, a number of traffic management measures will be introduced in stages throughout the programme.

The first restrictions will begin late on Thursday 16 July when lane two on both the northbound and southbound carriageways will close from 11pm until 6am the following morning.

These overnight works are required to prepare crossover points and the central reserve safety barrier ahead of the introduction of the contraflow system.

Full motorway closure overnight on 17 July

The most significant disruption will occur overnight on Friday 17 July when the M2 will be completely closed in both directions between Junction 4 Sandyknowes and Junction 5 Templepatrick.

The closure will be in place from 8pm on Friday evening until 7am on Saturday morning.

During this period, traffic will be diverted via:

• A6 Antrim Road

• A6 Ballyclare Road

• A57 Ballyclare Road

Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place on approaches to the closure.

Northbound carriageway closed for more than a week

From 6am on Saturday 18 July until 6am on Monday 27 July, the northbound carriageway of the M2 between Sandyknowes and Templepatrick will be closed continuously.

Northbound traffic will instead be directed onto a single-lane contraflow operating on the southbound carriageway.

An alternative diversion route using the A6 Antrim Road, A6 Ballyclare Road and A57 Ballyclare Road will also be available and signposted for motorists wishing to avoid the restricted section.

Southbound traffic reduced to one lane

Southbound motorists will also experience restrictions throughout much of the project.

From 7am on Saturday 18 July until 8pm on Sunday 26 July, traffic travelling towards Belfast will be reduced to a single lane between Junction 5 Templepatrick and Junction 4 Sandyknowes.

A temporary 50mph speed limit will remain in place throughout the works area for the duration of the scheme.

Second overnight closure before project completion

A second full overnight closure of the motorway in both directions will take place towards the end of the project.

The M2 between Junction 4 and Junction 5 will close again from 8pm on Sunday 26 July until 6am on Monday 27 July to allow final works to be completed and traffic management measures removed safely.

The same diversion route via the A6 Antrim Road, A6 Ballyclare Road and A57 Ballyclare Road will operate during this closure.

Drivers urged to allow extra time

The Department said the work and associated traffic arrangements have been planned to minimise disruption as much as possible, but warned that delays should still be expected, particularly during peak commuting periods.

Motorists travelling between Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena and the north coast are being encouraged to allow additional time for journeys and to follow signed diversion routes where appropriate.

Completion of the resurfacing programme remains dependent on favourable weather conditions, with the Department stating it will keep the public informed should there be any changes to the schedule.

The investment forms part of ongoing maintenance work across Northern Ireland’s strategic road network aimed at improving road quality and extending the lifespan of key transport infrastructure.

Key information for drivers

• Works will take place between Friday 17 July and Monday 27 July 2026.

• The resurfacing scheme affects the M2 northbound carriageway between Junction 4 Sandyknowes and Junction 5 Templepatrick.

• Lane two on both northbound and southbound carriageways will be closed from 11pm on Thursday 16 July until 6am on Friday 17 July for preparatory works.

• The M2 will be fully closed in both directions between Junction 4 Sandyknowes and Junction 5 Templepatrick from 8pm on Friday 17 July until 7am on Saturday 18 July.

• A signed diversion route during the full closure will operate via the A6 Antrim Road, A6 Ballyclare Road and A57 Ballyclare Road.

• The M2 northbound carriageway will be closed continuously between Junction 4 Sandyknowes and Junction 5 Templepatrick from 6am on Saturday 18 July until 6am on Monday 27 July.

• Northbound traffic will be diverted onto a single-lane contraflow operating on the southbound carriageway.

• An alternative northbound diversion route will also be available via the A6 Antrim Road, A6 Ballyclare Road and A57 Ballyclare Road.

• The M2 southbound carriageway will be reduced to a single lane between Junction 5 Templepatrick and Junction 4 Sandyknowes from 7am on Saturday 18 July until 8pm on Sunday 26 July.

• The motorway will again be fully closed in both directions between Junction 4 Sandyknowes and Junction 5 Templepatrick from 8pm on Sunday 26 July until 6am on Monday 27 July.

• The same diversion route via the A6 Antrim Road, A6 Ballyclare Road and A57 Ballyclare Road will operate during the second overnight closure.

• A temporary 50mph speed limit will remain in place throughout the works area.

• Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys and expect delays, particularly during peak travel periods.

• Completion of the scheme by 27 July remains subject to favourable weather conditions.