The Strabane area is to benefit from a £4.4 million roads investment, announced by Transport Minister Conor Murphy yesterday.

Speaking at a meeting with the district council, the minister discussed the ongoing projects in the area.

Minister Murphy also commented on the expected publication of a preferred corridor for the A5 duelling, which should be out by the end of this year.

Reaffirming the positive year his structural maintenance department had, the minister welcomed the extra funding allocated to the Roads Service from his Executive colleagues.



The Minister said: "The maintenance of surfaces and underlying structures of roads and footways is essential for the social and economic well-being in all areas."

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Outlining plans for Strabane, Mr Murphy said: "We plan to spend £2.6 million on various road maintenance projects in the Strabane District Council area this year. A significant resurfacing scheme to be carried out this year will be on the A5 Melmount road, north of Bellspark Road." 



Also speaking at the meeting, Roads Service's Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty said there were significant challenges to be faced: 

"The Investment Strategy anticipates a large programme of trunk road improvements over the next ten years, with investment totalling £3.1 billion pounds.

"Roads Service is currently considering how this work will be programmed and delivered. The recently published plan had major schemes of benefit to the Strabane District Council area. By far the biggest challenge facing us is the A5 dualling," said Mr Doherty.



Last month Roads Service carried out a series of public information days at four locations along the A5 route, at Ballygawley, Omagh, Strabane and Derry. 



"The objective of these days was to raise awareness of the project and seek public comments. The information gathered will be used to help select the preferred corridor," added Mr Doherty.

(PR/JM)