TWO major road resurfacing schemes – costing almost £500,000 – have got underway in the Newry area, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced.
Resurfacing is taking place on the A2 Kilmorey Street which is valued at £330,000, while a scheme on the A28 Armagh Road, is costing in the region of £150,000.
Work on the A2 Kilmorey Street, Newry is between William Street and the Greenbank roundabout and will involve the resurfacing of approximately 1km of road. Improvements will provide new surfacing to the carriageways and, where necessary, the drainage and associated footways will also be improved. Work has already started and is expected to last for approximately eight weeks.
In order to facilitate the works and ensure the safety of workers and the public, restricted lane widths and traffic control measures will be required to complete the scheme. The work will start at the Greenbank roundabout and move towards the William Street junction. Partial footway closures will be necessary to complete, with pedestrians guided to use the opposite footway.
A limited traffic diversion for Newry-bound traffic will be in operation during the works. Motorists will be diverted onto River Street.
It may also be necessary to use night time working along some sections to complete the works. Access will be available to local residents and businesses within the length of the carriageway.
The scheme is expected to be substantially completed on Friday, May 31.
Work has also started on a £153,000 trunk road resurfacing scheme on the A28 Armagh Road, which should be completed by the end of next week. The works will comprise of approximately 0.5km of carriageway resurfacing of the A28 Armagh Road, Newry, from just south of the Cranky Road to the U5031. The improvements will provide new surfacing to the carriageways and hard shoulders and again, where necessary, the drainage and will also be improved.
A partial road closure for the surfacing works is in place. The south bound lane of the A28 Armagh Road will be closed to traffic from 9am to 4.30pm on a daily basis. A diversion will be operational via Markethill, Tandragee and Newry. A temporary 40mph speed limit will be in place during the works.
Again access will be available to local residents and businesses within the length of the work.
THese schemes are subject to favourable weather conditions and Roads Service will keep the public informed of any change.
Minister Kennedy said: “These schemes represent a major investment in the roads infrastructure in Newry. Roads Service has carefully programmed the works operations and traffic management arrangements in order to minimise any inconvenience to the public. However, motorists should be aware that some delays may be expected and that additional time should be allowed when planning any journeys.
“Road users are also advised to obey the speed restrictions, the road closure and the direction signs at all times, and to cooperate with site personnel in the interests of safety whilst these improvement works are being carried out.”
