Minister opens £6 million dual carriageway

Minister of State, John Spellar, has opened a new £6 million section of dual carriageway in Co Antrim today.

The carriageway, between Doagh Road and Coleman’s Corner on the A8 Belfast to Larne Road, is part of a package of improvements for the Belfast to Larne Road, valued at £13.3 million. The scheme involved construction of 2.2km of dual carriageway and building two roundabouts at the Doagh Road and Coleman’s Corner junctions.

The Minister said: "The A8 is a strategic road link between Belfast and the Port of Larne. Currently up to half of Northern Ireland’s containerised cargo and around one third of all tourist traffic move through the Port of Larne. It is vital to the economy of Northern Ireland that Larne is serviced by modern and efficient road links.

"Roads Service is committed to improving road safety in Northern Ireland and this scheme provides improved junctions, to help traffic safely access the A8 and a new section of dual carriageway, to provide safe passing opportunities for through traffic."

The scheme was constructed by John Graham (Dromore) Ltd and funded through the Strategic Investment Fund. Work on the dual carriageway started in March 2003 and was completed within the planned timescale.

This scheme is the final in the programme of four major works schemes on the A8 Belfast to Larne Road.

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