A1 Junction Improvements

Objective: To improve 4 junctions on the A1 Belfast to Dublin Key Strategic Route to enhance safety and assist side road traffic join the main road.

The Proposal: Work has commenced to provide flyover type junctions at; -

Dromore Road, Hillsborough

Banbridge Road, Dromore

Dromore Road, Banbridge and

Dublin Road, Loughbrickland.

This work includes closing up the gaps in the central reservation of the dual carriageway at these junctions.

Description: The A1 junction improvement schemes are included in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015, published in March 2005, where it is listed in the Preparation Pool which contains schemes expected to be implemented within the first 5 years or so of the plan. Work on these 4 junction improvement schemes has commenced and is being undertaken as part of Package 2 of Roads Service’s Design Build Finance and Operate programme.

Dromore Road, Hillsborough

A new flyover is being constructed immediately north of the existing junction which will carry a new road linking the B177 Dromore Road to the north-bound carriageway and the C359 Ballygowan Road.

Banbridge Road, Dromore

A new underpass is being constructed immediately north ofthe existing junction which will carry a new road linking the B2 Dromore Road to the north-bound carriageway and the C355 Rowantree Road.

Dromore Road, Banbridge

A new flyover is being constructed immediately south of the existing junction which will carry a new road linking the A26 Dromore Road to the south-bound carriageway.

Dublin Road, Loughbrickland

A new underpass is being constructed immediately north of the existing junction which will carry a new road linking the B3 Dublin Road to the south-bound carriageway and the B3 Grovehill Road.

Motorists will no longer have to make right turning manoeuvres at these junctions since all movements between the side roads and both the north-bound and south-bound carriageways will be left in left out.

Current Position: Advance work and site clearance completed in February/March 2007. Construction work to date has consisted of topsoil stripping, service diversions and fencing. In the course of the topsoil stripping a number of potential archaeological features have also been identified. The DBFO Co is currently preparing plans, in consultation with Environmental and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment, to resolve these finds.

All four schemes expected to be openfor traffic by Winter 2009/10.

View Indicative Junction Layouts (765KB)

Scheme Brochure (577KB)

Key Dates:

Public Information Days - 14 to 16 March 2005

Public Information Days - 13 to 15 December 2005

Completion of Statutory Procedures - December 2006