Belfast roadworks will see resurfacing completed in around six months

BRT work almost finished with Glider buses to get moving on September 3

Major roadworks projects across Belfast are set to be completed over the next six months, it was revealed yesterday.

Resurfacing schemes in the North, East, South and West of the city will “realise significant benefits for both the local community and commuters”, Department for Infrastructure say.

Details emerged as Belfast City Council members were “updated on programmed infrastructure works for the area”.

Councillors also heard that 12-hour bus lanes will be introduced in West Belfast on July 23, in East Belfast on July 30 and in Belfast Harbour Estate on August 6. The BRT Glider system will go fully operational on 3 September, the officials said.

DFI Divisional Roads Manager Kevin Monaghan added: “Over the next six months, the Belfast City Council area will see the completion of a number of resurfacing schemes including Great Georges Street, Donegall Road/Falls Road to the roundabout and Ardvarna Park, Ardvarna Crescent and Helgor Park. It is also proposed to resurface a section of carriageway on Belmont Road between Tweskard Lodge and Knockdarragh Park.

“These projects will realise significant benefits for both the local community and commuters.”

He added that a lot of money has been spent on issues like repairing potholes.

Mr Monaghan said: “It is clear that the recent severe winter has had a significant detrimental impact on the road network and the Department will continue to identify those roads most in need of repair and prioritise this work alongside other ongoing priorities.

“The 2018/2019 roads structural maintenance capital budget is £75million. Of that, £15million has been set aside for a roads recovery fund which is being used to address areas of immediate need across the road network. Almost 40,000 surface defects have been repaired in the last few months.

“The ongoing maintenance programme will also include an enhanced grass cutting service to ensure all roadside verges and sightline grass will be cut at least twice in the period April to October; and a full weed spraying service. This work has now commenced across the region.

“It is also worth noting other projects in the area recently completed, including a new pedestrian island on the Blacks Road at St Gerard’s school and a new Puffin crossing on the Whiterock Road at Glenalina Road. A range of other local traffic and safety measures have also already been delivered.”

Ciarán De Búrca, Director of Transport Projects and Business Services, said the major road infrastructure works linked to the BRT are “substantially completed at this stage with only minor works on traffic signals, public lighting, signing and lining to be completed”.

He said that the 12 hour bus lanes will be introduced in West Belfast on 23 July, in East Belfast on 30 July and in Belfast Harbour Estate on 6 August. The BRT Glider system will go fully operational on September 3.

Source: Belfastlive