A busy Belfast city centre street will be closed for up to a year as part of public realm works related to the ongoing development of Grand Central Station.
Translink has confirmed Durham Street will be closed from Saturday October 12.
Belfast Grand Central Station formally opened on September 8, with bus services moving from the Europa Bus Station to the new station at Weavers Cross.
Last week it was confirmed rail services will commence from next Sunday, October 13 following weeks of delays in confirming when the services would begin.
The works in Durham Street will involve “sensitively” dismantling the existing 1936 Boyne Bridge to facilitate the completion of the first phase of streets works associated with the new station.
Translink said they are eager to preserve “key elements of the bridge”, and have said they will “continue to engage with the local community on an arts and heritage programme which will utilise these materials for future projects”.
Many local people in the Sandy Row area have pleaded with Translink in the past not to remove the bridge and some have started petitions over the issue with a campaign also previously organised against the work.
In August, a parade and rally was held by residents, who demanded that Sandy Row remains “inextricably linked” with the Boyne Bridge.
The next phases of construction work is also expected to cause delays for road users in the city centre.
Over recent months there have been increasing reports of heavy traffic congestion around the city, particular during busy rush hour periods.
Last month a roads expert told this newspaper traffic woes for commuters travelling into Belfast are an “inevitable” consequence of the work going on at the station and the lack of train services had added to the problems.
According to Translink, they have introduced various bus service enhancements on some popular Goldliner routes, and some bus passenger priority measures are also in place to help combat delays.
With the commencement of rail services at Grand Central station from Sunday 13th October, the line between Belfast and Lisburn will reopen for customers.
As the main terminus station for the city, Translink are hopeful this next phase in the project will offer enhanced connectivity and integration between bus, coach and rail. Enterprise services between Belfast to Dublin will also relocate to Grand Central.
A spokesperson added: “Clearly signed diversionary routes will be in place for motorists that need to travel to the city and everyone is asked to follow these or to find an alternative route or way to travel.”