The first of a three stage assessment for the new Ballykelly bypass has been completed, Northern Ireland's Roads Minister has revealed.

Conor Murphy, providing a update to Limavady Borough Council on his department's £3.2m investment in the area, said Roads Service was now well into 'Stage 2' of the process

The preferred corridor for the proposed dual carriageway was announced in February this year.

Roads Service will now assess alternative route options within the chosen southern corridor.

"My department plans to complete Stage 2 in determining the 'preferred route' option by the end of this year, and an announcement on the 'preferred route' is planned for early next year," Mr Murphy said.

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Earlier this year, Roads Service completed a £183,000 scheme on the B69 Baranailt Road, which involved the replacement of the Drumacarney Bridge.

Works also included a carriageway realignment and the provision of 70m of safety barrier on either side of the carriageway, spanning the Bessbrook River.

Over 3.5km of carriageway has also been resurfaced in the Limavady area including 1.25km of resurfacing at Main Street, Ballykelly and 850m on Scroggy Road, Limavady between Rathmore Road and Greystone Road.

Roads Service Principal Engineer, Malcolm Glover said other works planned for this financial year included proposals to improve the junction of Broad Road and Ringsend Road.

This scheme is expected to provide a full standard right turning facility.

"It is also proposed to provide a footway on Drumsurn Road, Drumsurn between Fir Avenue and Beech Road," said Mr Glover.

(PR/KMcA)