A yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland this weekend as Storm Bert approaches has prompted Stormont officials to keep a key route into Belfast open this weekend.
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that planned resurfacing work on the A2 Sydenham Bypass this weekend will not now proceed and the road will remain open.
An overnight closure will remain in place between 10pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday morning when the contractor will clear the site ready to reopen the carriageway fully at 6am on Saturday.
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Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said the decision not to close the Sydenham bypass this weekend was taken due to the yellow Met Office warning in place for part of Saturday. This was also due to be the last weekend of works before an embargo on all non-essential roadworks on key arterial routes begins on Monday, 25th November until 5th January.
The £3.8million road improvement scheme has been underway since late September with the work along the citybound lanes, between Tillysburn junction and the start of the M3, scheduled to be completed over five months. The majority of the work has been undertaken under a series of overnight and weekend closures.
Mr O’Dowd said: “This early opening of the bypass and the commencement of the embargo will help traffic flow, easing congestion and supporting businesses in the approach to the busy festive period. I would like to thank the public for their patience while these essential works have been ongoing.”
It is expected that the Sydenham bypass scheme will recommence in early January, however DfI said it will inform the travelling public when dates have been confirmed.
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