Details of a proposed Cookstown bypass road project have now emerged.

It will run through the east of the town, and link the Dungannon Road to the Moneymore Road, the Roads Minister has revealed.

Conor Murphy, discussing his department's £2.4m investment in the Cookstown area this year, said: "Roads Service continues to progress design work for the proposed Cookstown Bypass with a view to determining a preferred alignment.

"The emerging preferred corridor for the bypass lies to the east of the town and will link the A29 Dungannon Road at Loughry Roundabout to the A29 Moneymore Road."

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Minister Murphy said traffic surveys were held in 2007 with environmental, ecological and archaeological surveys started during the summer of this year.

The Minister also outlined progress on realignment work at the A29 Carland Bridge, which is programmed to commence in May 2009.

Procurement for this work is currently underway.

"Also to the north of Cookstown, the A31 Magherafelt Bypass project is progressing and the public inquiry into the preferred route has been scheduled for April 2009," Mr Murphy said.

Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty welcomed the Road Service's investment in local transport and safety measures in the Cookstown area.

Mr Doherty said: "Other schemes that will be taken forward in the current financial year include the provision of a footbridge at Ballinderry, sightline improvements at the Roughan Road/Tullaghbeg Road junction and provision of a footway at Cloughfin Road, Killeenan."

The Roads Service report also contained the draft capital programme for 2009-2011. Schemes include providing a right turning lane at A505 Drum Road/Corchoney Road junction and junction realignment at the A505 Drum Road/B4 Pomeroy Road junction.

(PR)