Magherafelt based contractor F.P McCann Ltd bagged the €1.6m contract to widen Madam's Bank road (A515).
The widened road will be built substantially within the boundary of the existing road. Where the existing road is in cutting, the bottoms of the existing slopes will be removed and replaced by low retaining walls.
This will allow established planting on the side slopes to remain. Where the road is on embankment, this will be widened to accommodate the widened road with established planting removed and replaced with new planting.
Steelestown Road and Earhart Park junctions will become all movements permitted traffic light controlled junctions; these will include Toucan Crossings to provide safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists whilst minimizing delays for drivers.
-- Advertisement --
There will also be a combined cycleway/footway which will be provided on either side of the widened road.
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "This scheme complements the recently improved Culmore Junction and will further improve travelling conditions for the people of the northwest.
"The road is a key part of the North Western Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Derry City and on to Donegal.
"This contract will strengthen pavements and widen the road to four lanes, two lanes for traffic in each direction, improving capacity and road safety. Work on the 1.2 kilometre scheme will begin on Monday 5 September and, following a break for Christmas, will be completed in January 2012."
During construction, Madam’s Bank Road and side roads will remain open to traffic and pedestrians and cyclists, but will be subject to mobile traffic management measures. Whilst the detailed construction will be a matter for the contractor, certain guiding principles have been stipulated to minimise the effects of construction noise, temporary diversions, works access and working hours.
(LB/BMcC)
