Major resurfacing scheme starts – lane closures, diversions and full road closure planned for Ballyclare route
Hillhead Road, Ballyclare
Monday 2 November 2026
Motorists travelling through Ballyclare are being warned to expect disruption over the coming months as an £875,000 road improvement scheme gets underway today (Monday 2 November) on Hillhead Road.
The work will see approximately 1.38 kilometres of the B94 Hillhead Road resurfaced, alongside improvements to kerbs and footways, with traffic restrictions scheduled to remain in place until March 2027.
The Department for Infrastructure has confirmed that the project will be carried out in two phases, beginning with a lane closure affecting traffic leaving Ballyclare before progressing to a full daytime road closure in January.
First phase begins with lane closure until Christmas
From Monday 2 November until Wednesday 23 December 2026, kerbing and footway improvements will take place between the Mill Road and Templepatrick Road junctions.
A lane closure will operate for traffic departing Ballyclare along Hillhead Road between 9.30am and 4.30pm during this period.
Drivers affected by the restriction will be directed along the following signed diversion:
• U59 Mill Road
• A57 Templepatrick Road
• A57 Templepatrick Road off-slip
The restriction will affect outbound traffic, with motorists advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Full daytime road closure planned from January
The second phase will begin on Monday 11 January 2027 and continue until Friday 12 March 2027, when the main carriageway resurfacing will be undertaken.
This will involve a full closure of Hillhead Road between its junction with Mill Road and a point approximately 20 metres north of the Hillhead Mews junction.
The closure will operate between 9.30am and 4.30pm throughout the scheduled works period.
A signed diversion route will be introduced, although the Department has yet to confirm the details. A further announcement will be made before this phase begins.
Access arrangements and bus services
The Department says the works and traffic management arrangements have been planned to minimise inconvenience, with steps taken to accommodate local access and Translink bus and school services throughout the scheme.
However, drivers should still anticipate delays around the affected section of Hillhead Road, particularly during the daytime restrictions.
Road users are being asked to follow temporary traffic signs and restrictions and allow additional journey time.
Minister says investment will improve road conditions
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the £875,000 investment would deliver lasting improvements for residents, businesses and motorists using the Ballyclare route.
“This is a substantial investment for the Ballyclare area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users. The investment demonstrates my commitment to investing in and improving our road network, which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities.”
The Minister added:
“This work will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this section of the road network to the benefit of residents, businesses and those travelling in the Ballyclare area.”
Acknowledging the disruption, she said:
“I would like to thank residents, local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.”
Completion expected in March 2027
The scheme is expected to be substantially completed by Friday 12 March 2027, subject to favourable weather conditions.
The Department has said it will keep the public informed of any changes to the programme.
For those regularly travelling through Ballyclare, the immediate priority will be planning around the outbound lane closure until Christmas, with more significant daytime restrictions to follow when the full resurfacing works begin in January.
