£35 million pound Magherafelt bypass opens

The new Magherafelt bypass has officially been opened, four weeks ahead of schedule.

The £35 million project stretches 6km and is designed to improve traffic links in the Mid Ulster area to and from the M2, Belfast and north-east. 

The new road cuts through a green field site to the east of Magherafelt between the A31 Moneymore Road at Coolshinny Road junction to the south of Magherafelt and the A6 Castledawson roundabout.

The development includes three new roundabouts at Moneymore Road, Ballyronan Road and Aughrim Road as well as a number of under bridges at Killyfaddy Road, Loves Road and Killyneese Road.

It's thought as many as 14,000 vehicles a day may use the new route.

Minister Chris Hazzard said: 

“The A31 is a strategically important and busy route. The investment and delivery of the £35million bypass will improve local connections to the Key Transport Corridor network and significantly ease congestion in Magherafelt by up to around 50,000 vehicles every week.

“Delivering extensive improvements to the roads infrastructure such as this involves the cooperation and understanding of the local community. I acknowledge the impact that this scheme has had on residents, landowners and businesses. However, I am confident that everyone involved will see and immediately begin to benefit from this significant investment.”

Since work began in June 2015, the project has provided employment for seven people as well as creating seven student placements, sixteen apprentices and 90 training placement weeks.