A6 road between Londonderry and Dungiven 'could open' in late April
The new A6 dual carriageway between Londonderry and Dungiven could open at the end of April 2023 a Department for Infrastructure spokesperson has said.
In an interview with Downtown/ Cool FM the DfI's Kaine Lynch said work is now largely complete except for a proportion of road signs and street lighting connections.
A road safety audit process has also commenced which must be completed before the road can open.
That stretch of road is part of the A6 road which links Derry and Belfast.
It has been hampered by a number of delays due to the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine war and market volatility.
There has been widespread frustration from politicians and drivers at the on-going delay.
Kaine Lynch, the Department's Director of Major Projects and Procurement, said he understands the frustration but that he is “confident” that the upgrade will be complete by the end of April 2023.
He said: “I can’t give an absolute cast-iron guarantee that it will be the end of April, but I am confident that it will be very close to that if not then.
“I fully appreciate the frustration and it feels like it is one of things that the date is constantly moved.
“It was spring 2022, then Autumn 2022 and then it was the end of 2022.”
The scheme is said to be “well advanced” and mainline construction work is now largely complete except for a proportion of road signs and street lighting connections.
Mr Lynch added: “We won’t know exactly how long that’ll take because we don’t know what’s going to come out of it yet.
“But based on previous experience we are confident that we can complete the audit get the recommendations completed and open the road by the end of April.
“There are lots of rumours out there. I have heard that a bridge is sinking, the road is collapsing. There are no issues beyond what we are talking about in terms of trying to complete the works and a number of long-standing contractual issue that we need to deal with, which is normal on a project of this scale.
“We understand the frustration. I’m from the north west I travel the road extremely frequently so I share the frustration and no one wants the road open as much as I do.
“The reality is we need to finish the job before we can open it. We need to open it safely.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said clarity is needed on the expected opening date.
Responding to comments by a senior Department for Infrastructure official that it 'could open' at the 'end of April'.
Caoimhe Archibald said: “Commuters in Dungiven and the north west are becoming increasingly frustrated at delays in the completion of the A6 and Dungiven bypass.
“Long delays have become the norm in and around Dungiven while a brand-new road remains unopened.
"I will meet with the Department of Infrastructure on Friday for clarity on the expected opening date and what that is required for that to happen.
“I will also emphasise the need for better communication with the community and road users.
“Sinn Féin will continue working to ensure this essential link for the wider North West area will be completed as quickly as possible.”
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