The second phase of a scheme which aims to provide “further safety improvements along the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland” has been extended into 2027, according to the Infrastructure Minister.
The scheme was announced in January 2021 by the then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon following two years of public consultation and inquiry.
The former Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, on 2 July 2024, announced in the NI Assembly that the scheme would proceed to the procurement stage.
The procurement process commenced in December 2024 and the Department at that time the Department expected the contract to be awarded in 2026 with construction expected to take a further three years to build the scheme.
However, due to the A5 judgement – where a High Court ruling quashed the A5 road upgrade project in Northern Ireland, citing non-compliance with climate change legislation and raising concerns about public safety – the scheme has been delayed with legal advice being sought on a way forward.
The improvements – once progressed – will include the provision of new grade separated junctions, the closing up of all gaps in the central reservation and the provision of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the whole route.
Recently, Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson asked the Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins for an update on the A1 Junctions Phase 2 project.
The Minister detailed the project: “The A1 Junctions Phase 2 Project will deliver enhanced safety measures along a 25km stretch of the A1 route between Loughbrickland and Hillsborough, costing in the region of £120 – £130m and will include the closing up of all gaps in the central median and the provision of a number of new grade separated junctions.
“The scheme was confirmed by my predecessor as a single package of works on 2 July 2024 and a restricted list was notified to tenderers on 9 May 2025.”
However, explaining her actions as a result of the delays imposed by the A5 ruling, the Minister added: “I recently instructed officials to extend the restricted list for a period of 12 months to 5 February 2027, continuing to keep this important scheme viable pending the outcome of the A5 appeal.
“We have to await the Court of Appeal’s ruling, because it is important that we consider it fully when looking at the next steps for all major roads projects, as we do not want to be in a scenario where we face challenges on everything.
“Whilst I want to see the project delivered at the earliest possible stage, it is critical that we consider the outcome of the appeal before taking the next steps.
“Every death on our roads is a profound loss to the community and unfortunately the A1 is a road that has been impacted exponentially by tragic circumstances. I remain committed to the construction of this vitally important infrastructure safety upgrade, and will take all actions available to me to secure its delivery.”
