Around £57 million capital funding has been allocated for major road schemes to be taken forward.

The funding is part of the 2016-17 budget.

The projects include the New Buildings to Strabane section of the A5 Western Transport Corridor, the A6 road scheme, as well as Belfast Rapid Transit and the Belfast Transport Hub.

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In addition, roads structural maintenance has received £46 million capital funding for next year.

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Ó hOisín said: "The funding package announced today for the A6 road upgrade is the most significant funding announcement for this vital infrastructure project.

"This is the announcement we have been waiting on for 50 years.

"We have been campaigning for the upgrade of the A6 for many years and it is encouraging to see funding now in place to take this project forward.

"It would help transform the economy of the entire north west region and dramatically reduce journey times between Belfast and Derry."

(CD/MH)