A new Belfast motorway lane has been temporarily opened today as testing takes place during the final phase of a major arterial infrastructure scheme.

The development follows the recent opening of the newly constructed Collin and Longlands Bridges over the M2 motorway through Newtownabbey and into north Belfast.

After two years of building work, the new bridges were completed and fully opened for two lanes of traffic at the weekend.

The original Collin and Longlands Bridges, which were 50 years old, have been replaced as part of the overall M2 improvements scheme, between Sandyknowes and Greencastle junctions.

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Today, the new, additional M2 motorway lane citybound between the two junctions was temporarily opened allowing three traffic lanes in each direction for the first time.

This was to facilitate a newly installed motorway communications system to be tested.

This involved remote testing of traffic detectors installed in each lane of the carriageway.

During this period, the hard shoulder on this section of the M2 will not be available.

Drivers using the M2 have therefore been advised to take extra care and be prepared for changes in the road layout.

The testing is expected to be completed by Sunday 19 April when the M2 will be reduced back to two traffic lanes in each direction to allow the outstanding road works to be finished.

The M2 improvements scheme is currently on target to be completed by the end of April or early May 2009.

(PR/BMcC)