Three joint ventures have been awarded the contract to build a record breaking dual carriage way between Derry and Aughnacloy.

The 86 kilometres A5 Western Transport Corridor is the largest single road scheme ever undertaken in Ireland.

Roads Minister Conor Murphy said the contracts are in two phases.

"The first phase is to assist Roads Service and the scheme consulting engineers in the development of the design of the new dual carriageway in advance of the publication of the draft statutory orders next year," he said.

"The second phase is the construction of the new dual carriageway."

The construction phase is planned to commence in 2012 subject to a successful outcome of the Public Inquiry scheduled for summer 2011, and availability of finance.

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Due to the length of the project it has been divided into three contracts.

Section 1 from Newbuildings to Sion Mills has been awarded to the Balfour Beatty/BAM/FP McCann Joint Venture.

Section 2 from Sion Mills to Omagh has been awarded to the Roadbridge/Sisk/PT McWilliam Joint Venture.

Section 3 from Omagh to south of Aughnacloy at the border with County Monaghan has been awarded to the Graham/Farrans Joint Venture.

"To ensure successful delivery of the project within the agreed timescales, Roads Service has adopted an innovative approach in the A5 dualling project by appointing the contractors early in the process," said Mr Murphy.

Foyle Assemblyman Raymond McCartney welcomed the appointment of the contractors.

"Investment in transport is a key driver of economic development and Conor Murphy has demonstrated his absolute determination to address regional disparities in infrastructure investment," he said.

“The Minister has ensured that the construction contracts include social clauses for the employment of apprentices and the long term unemployed to ensure that the North West gets the maximum socio-economic benefit possible from this investment," added Mr McCartney.

(PR/KMcA)