Transport Minister Danny Kennedy today announced the Preferred Option for the new road interchange at York Street in Belfast.

Speaking at the announcement, following the assessment process and the completion of the Preferred Options Report, the Minister said: "The proposed improvements to this key junction will provide continuous links between three of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland - the M2, M3 and Westlink - which cater for over 100,000 vehicles daily. This junction is one of the main gateways to Belfast and provides access to the Port of Belfast as well as serving strategic traffic travelling between the north, south and east of Northern Ireland.

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"The cost of the Preferred Option for the York Street Interchange lies in the range of £100 million to £135 million and it is envisaged that construction would take three years to complete."

The Preferred Option provides a fully grade separated interchange, with links between the Westlink, M2 and M3 provided using underpasses underneath the existing Lagan Road and Dargan Rail Bridges and new bridges at York Street and Dock Street. This will separate strategic traffic from the local road network and improve journey times on the Strategic Road Network.

Mr Kennedy said: "The Preferred Option is technically very challenging and a great deal of work has been carried out to ensure the buildability and viability of this project which is a high priority within the Roads Service Programme."

(CD)