Separate road projects have been successfully completed in two areas of Northern Ireland - and work continues in preparation for an otherwise stalled highway upgrade in Co Antrim.

The NI Transport Minister Danny Kennedy this week congratulated the Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works and welcomed the planned £0.8m that has been earmarked for structural road maintenance in Carrickfergus this year.

The Minister said: "Despite last year's reduced budget for local transport and safety measures, a good range of such schemes has been successfully delivered by Roads Service.

"While the tightening public expenditure environment is due to continue, Roads Service is using its available resources effectively and continuing to deliver quality public services," he said.

Looking ahead, he said also revealed that preparatory work for the planned dualling of the A2 at Greenisland was progressed.

He said that while the statutory Notice to Proceed and Direction Order published was published on 1 October 2008, the NI Executive's budget for 2011-15 "precludes the scheme being progressed further during this timeframe".

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However, he said: "I remain confident that the economic revival will subsequently facilitate progression of the final Statutory Notice, the Vesting Order and delivery of this important scheme."

In the meantime, the Minister also welcomed Roads Service's proposed programme for the year ahead including further 'roll out of the innovative 'Safer Routes to School' Programme to include Woodburn primary school; traffic calming at Station Road, Greenisland and street lighting schemes at Barn Road, Coronation Road and Fergus Avenue, Carrickfergus.

Also commenting, the Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Bertie Ellison, welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe weather conditions last winter.

He said that during 2010/11 these included culvert replacement on the A2 Larne Road near Ballycarry plus drainage schemes and in addition, 2.519km of carriageway resurfacing was completed which included stretches of the Upper Road and Station Road, Greenisland; Oakfield Drive and Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus and Larne Road, Whitehead.

"This was complimented by 1.46km of footway resurfacing which included Larne Road, Eden plus Model Avenue and Green Street Carrickfergus," he explained.

Elsewhere, Danny Kennedy has also congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works, and welcomed the planned £3.5m for structural maintenance in 2011/12 in the Down area.

He also explained that scheme development for the proposed Ballynahinch Bypass, to identify the preferred route, is continuing. This work includes a range of engineering, economic and environmental assessments including air quality, noise, water and visual impact. In addition work continues on a preliminary design for on-line improvements on the Rowallen to Dorans Rock.

The Minister also welcomed Roads Service proposed programme for the year ahead including major resurfacing schemes on the Dundrum Road, Newcastle and Crossgar Road, Saintfield.

(BMcC/GK)