Roads Minister Conor Murphy has announced a major roads investment totalling £316 million when he awarded a contract which will complete the dualling of the Belfast to Dublin road and improve accessibility to the west.

The Minister announced the award of the contract to Amey Lagan Roads Limited for the Roads Service Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) - Package 2 contract.

Mr Murphy welcomed the financial close of the contract which will provide major improvements to the Strategic Road Network.

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He said: "These schemes will complete the dualling of the main Belfast to Dublin road and will improve the accessibility of Fermanagh and Tyrone. The schemes will deliver reduced congestion, better journey times and improved safety. The successful consortium who will build and maintain these roads provide us with international experience coupled with local expertise."

The contract includes building the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue and A4 Dungannon to Ballygawley dual carriageway schemes, the provision of two flyovers and two underpasses on the A1 between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland and single carriageway realignments to the A4 at Annaghilla and A5 at Tullyvar.

The DBFO Package is supported by the Strategic Investment Board and is included within the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, a sustainable programme of capital investment in transport, education, health, housing and water over the next 10 years.

(JM)