A £250,000 safety scheme to replace and upgrade the parapets of the M1 River Lagan Moira Bridge in County Down will begin this weekend.

The first phase of work will be from Sunday, March 23, until Monday, April 21, on the west-bound carriageway. Following this, the second phase will commence from May 18 until June 23 on the east-bound carriageway.

A series of road, lane and hard shoulder closures will be implemented within the two phases.

Phase 1 of the works will be completed under the following traffic management arrangements:

• A full overnight closure will be in place from 11pm on Sunday, March 23, until 6am on Monday, March 24, on the west-bound carriageway of the M1, between Saintfield Roundabout and the Moira Road Roundabout. This is to allow a temporary barrier to be installed.  During this closure a signed diversion route will be in operation.

• From Monday, March 24, until Friday, April 18, lane 1 of the west-bound carriageway of the M1 will be closed in the vicinity of the works each night during the hours of 9pm and 6am (Monday to Friday only) to allow the old parapet to be removed and a new parapet to be installed safely.

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• A full overnight closure will be required on the west-bound carriageway of the M1, from 11pm on Sunday, April 20, until 6am on Monday, April 21, to allow the temporary barrier to be removed.

Phase 2 of the works will commence on Sunday, May 18, and will be completed under the following traffic management arrangements:

• A full overnight closure will be in place from 11pm on Sunday, May 18, until 6am on Monday, May 19, on the east-bound M1 carriageway, to allow a temporary barrier to be installed. 

• From Monday, May 18, until Friday, June 20, lane 1 of the east-bound carriageway of the M1 will be closed in the vicinity of the works each night during the hours of 9pm and 6am (Monday to Friday only) to allow the old parapet to be removed and a new parapet to be installed safely.

• A full overnight closure will be required on the east-bound carriageway of the M1 from 11pm on Sunday, June 22, until 6am on Monday, June 23, to allow the temporary barrier to be removed. 

Discussing the works, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: "These are essential safety works which involve replacing and upgrading both parapets on the River Lagan Moira Bridge, which carries the M1 over the River Lagan. 

"I would like to thank the travelling public for their patience while the works take place and I would urge anyone travelling in the area to plan their journey carefully, to slow down when driving in the vicinity of the work and abide by the temporary traffic signs which are in place for your safety and the safety of our road workers."

During all the bridge works the hard shoulder on either the east-bound or west-bound carriageways will be closed in the vicinity of the works, a temporary 50mph speed limit will be in operation and a recovery vehicle will be available on the M1.

Work is anticipated to be completed by June 23.