Work on the major £650,000 junction upgrade at Friary Road /Newry Road, Armagh is entering its final phase.
Resurfacing work at the junction is programmed for Sunday 21 June.
In addition, work to Scotch Street car park will be complete by the end of June and any remaining work on the scheme will be complete before the July holidays.
Car parking spaces lost to the storage of works supplies and equipment have been brought back into service as kerbs, paving, and other materials have been installed.
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “This major scheme to improve the performance of a very busy junction has not been without its challenges. Work has been carried out while traffic continued to use the junction. The safety of motorists and of workers has been a key concern and progress has sometimes been hampered by our placing a high priority on traffic progression, especially at peak times.
“We appreciate the patience of all road users during this time and, in particular, the local businesses in the area. In order to minimise disruption on commuters, residents and local businesses, work has been ongoing in the evenings at also at weekends.
“The completion of this work represents a significant investment in the road infrastructure in Armagh and will benefit traffic progression in the City considerably improving access to the City Centre and improving road safety.”
Whilst two way traffic flow on the Friary Road can now be maintained during the resurfacing operation, the Newry Road junction will be closed and local diversions will be in operation on Sunday 21 June. Some lane restrictions will also be required in the week beginning 15 June which may result in some congestion in the area. TransportNI would ask for the continued cooperation of the travelling public during this time and ask that they carefully observe the traffic signs.
Once the resurfacing work is complete, the new traffic light system can be completed. The upgraded junction will make use of the Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation (MOVA) system which will help improve the efficiency of the junction by sensing traffic and using this information to reduce queues and the amount of ‘red’ time on the traffic lights, it will also improve pedestrian crossing facilities in the area.
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