Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has visited the site of the A8 Belfast to Larne Dual Carriageway improvement works to review progress.

Construction on 14km of the existing A8, between Coleman's Corner Roundabout and Ballyrickard Road, to improve it to dual carriageway standard, is now 13 months into a 34 month programme.

Minister Kennedy said: "Progress on the improvement scheme is impressive and it is on schedule to be complete and open to traffic by Spring 2015.

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"With over 80% of the pipe culverts and other utility diversions complete, works are progressing well on the key structures and bulk earthworks activities."

The scheme, which is part funded by the European Commission under its Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) funding, will incorporate a new roundabout at Shane's Hill Road, and a number of new junctions and bridges.

The Minister continued: "Upgrading the A8 to dual carriageway will help grow the local economy and contribute to wider economic development across Northern Ireland.

"The construction industry is vital to this growth and I am determined to ensure that local firms are given every opportunity to gain experience and employment through projects such as this major improvement scheme."

(CD/JP)