Contractor for Magherafelt Bypass appointed
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy MLA has announced the appointment of consortium BAM/McCann as construction contractors for the A31 Magherafelt Bypass.
The six kilometre scheme represents an investment of £35million and will entail the construction of a single carriageway (with sections of 2+1 overtaking lanes) through a largely green field site between the A31 Moneymore Road just south of Magherafelt to the A6 Castledawson roundabout.
As part of the new road, three overbridges and three new roundabouts will be constructed where it bisects existing roads.
Announcing the contract award, Minister Kennedy highlighted the importance of the scheme and said: “The A31 is a strategically important route which links the West Tyrone and Mid Ulster areas to the M2, Belfast and the north east. Magherafelt town suffers from significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak periods with parts of the existing road network within the town centre carrying around 25,000 vehicles per day. This very significant investment will help improve road safety, reduce congestion and improve journey times.
“I congratulate the BAM/McCann consortium on its successful bid for this scheme. I am confident that the construction contract for this scheme will help to secure jobs in the local construction industry and in turn will contribute towards the continued economic development of Northern Ireland.”
Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, welcomed the announcement that a contractor has been appointed, saying: “The news that a contractor has been appointed signals another significant step towards the construction of the long awaited Magherafelt Bypass scheme
“This £35 million scheme has been almost forty years in the planning, and is now to be delivered by an Ulster Unionist Minister, and I would like to commend Roads Minister Danny Kennedy, for securing the funding from the Executive for this project, which represents a significant investment in Mid-Ulster. Furthermore, it is very welcome news that local company FP McCann is part of the consortium who will deliver this project, securing jobs for a local workforce in Mid-Ulster.”
Work is expected to start before the end of this financial year. Construction is programmed across a period of 20 months, with completion expected in late 2016.