NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £1.6million for structural road maintenance in the Cookstown area this year.

"This week I announced the preferred route for the A29 Cookstown Bypass," he said.

"The full details of the route will be disclosed at a Public Exhibition Day scheduled for Thursday 10 June at the South West College, Cookstown. This will provide an opportunity for all interested parties to come along, view and comment on the proposals.

"The A29 Carland Bridge realignment scheme, just outside the Council area, is making good progress on the ground with opening of the complete new carriageway expected before the end of this calendar year."

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The Minister also commented on the major schemes in the Council area. He said: "I welcome the completion of the 14.6kms of resurfacing, the most significant schemes being the B73 Coagh Road and B161 Dumenny Road, Ballinderry."

Other schemes which were carried out in the year include the provision of a new footbridge at Ballinderry, a forward sightline improvement on the B160 Sherrigrim Road near the Blacktown Road junction, replacement of Drumeen Bridge near Moneymore and traffic calming at Northland Road and Drive in Moneymore.

Minister Murphy also announced the completion of works and the planned £2.1million spend in the Newtownabbey Borough this year.

"A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year," he said.

"While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensuring it can make best use of limited resources and continue delivering quality public services.

"Preparatory work is continuing to dual the Greenisland section of the A2 between Ravenhill and Silverstream. This scheme will relieve congestion and provide a continuous four lane road between Carrickfergus and Whiteabbey."

(NS/BMcC)