Fenaghy Road in Galgorm.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that a £500,000 carriageway and footway resurfacing scheme on the C56 Fenaghy Road, Ballymena will commence on Monday 11 March 2024.
The resurfacing scheme will extend from Galgorm Roundabout to Corbally Road junction.
Minister O’Dowd said:
“It is vital that all available capital budget within my Department is fully utilised to deliver much needed investment in our infrastructure, including on the maintenance of our roads. I have allocated an additional £1million to address potholes in this financial year and £8.1m to deliver resurfacing schemes to continue to address the poor condition of our road network.
“This is a substantial investment for the Ballymena area from that additional funding which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users. The investment demonstrates my commitment to improving our road network, which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities. I would like to thank residents, local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.”
To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement a lane closure between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm from Monday 11 March until Friday 29 March and again from Monday 8 April until Saturday 13 Aprilto facilitate all footway works.
A full closure will then be implemented daily from Monday 15 April until Friday 27 April, including Saturday 20 April (nighttime) and Sunday 21 April (daytime), to facilitate all resurfacing works.
During the times of the road closure a diversionary route will be signed via:
U2027 Sand Road, U2029 Woodtown Road, B62 Cullybackey Road, B62 Ballymena Road and vice-versa.
A further lane closure will be necessary from Monday 29 April until Saturday 11 May for completion of all other ancillary works.
The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience. However, while steps have been taken to accommodate local access throughout the scheme, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions.
Subject to favourable weather conditions the works will be substantially complete by Saturday 11 May 2024, however the Department will keep the public informed of any change.
TUV Bannside councillor and Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor Stewart McDonald
TUV Bannside councillor and Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor Stewart McDonald welcomed the works beginning saying:
“I welcome news that Fenaghy Road Galgorm is to be resurfaced in March/April. In tandem with this work, the footways will also be renovated and work is due to start on the footways on the 11/03/2024.
“This much needed work will be carried out from the Galgorm shops up to the Blue Bridge.
“The current state of the road is frankly a disgrace. Along with local residents I have been campaigning to get something done about it for some time. I welcome the fact that it is - at last - being seen to.”