Procurement for safety works along one of Northern Ireland’s most dangerous roads will commence this week.
Over 40 people have died on the A1 dual carriageway in just 17 years.
As part of plans to increase the safety of the road, which connects Belfast to Dublin, four new grade flyover junctions will be built as well as the closing up of all gaps in the central reservation between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland.
The construction of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the 25km stretch will also be carried out.
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The update was announced on Tuesday by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd as part of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 Road Improvement Scheme.
Road safety campaigners and those who have lost their loved ones on the A1 have been calling for the delayed safety upgrades to be carried out as soon as possible.
The cost of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 Road Improvement Scheme is estimated to be in the region of £120m to £130m.
Mr O’Dowd said the delivery of the scheme has been a key priority as Infrastructure Minister.
“I confirmed earlier this year that the scheme would progress to the final delivery stage as a single package of works with ringfenced funding going forward,” he continued.
“Preparation for the procurement process has been moving forward at pace and I am pleased to confirm that the first phase commences this week with the advertisement of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.
“This will lead to the identification of a restricted list of tenderers who will then be asked to price the works.
“This is an important step in the delivery of this scheme which will modernise and improve road safety on a key strategic road carrying 40,000 vehicles per day.
“Following the completion of all the procurement and statutory processes we hope to be in a position to commence work on the scheme in early 2026.”