Work on an underpass at the Larne Road roundabout in Ballymena will kick-off in April, a local MLA has confirmed.

Assemblyman Robert Coulter received a pledge from the Roads Service that construction work will begin in the next few months.

Mr Coulter said he was 'delighted' with the news.

Transport Minister Conor Murphy told Mr Coulter the department is currently seeking tenders for the 2.1 kilometre dual carriageway on the outskirts of the town.

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The new road will connect the Ballee Road East to the M2 Ballymena Bypass dual carriageway.

It is believed the construction work could last for ten months.

Mr Coulter said he had been campaigning for the development for many years.

"I warmly welcome this terrific news that the Road Service is to begin work on the completion of the A26 dual carriageway underneath the Larne Road roundabout bridges."

He described the lobbying process for the development as a "long, slow campaign".

The MLA said: "The North Antrim constituency's commercial and industrial heartland is expanding on a yearly basis, and it is important that the roads infrastructure reflects this growing status."

Mr Coulter congratulated the Road Service on making the A26 project completion a priority.

(PR/JM)