The major improvement scheme will provide a direct connection from the A26 Ballee Road East dual carriageway, underneath the Larne Road Roundabout to the M2 Ballymena Bypass.
Announcing the successful tender, Roads Minister Conor Murphy said: "I am pleased to announce the award of this contract which will improve journey time reliability and safety for those using the strategic A26 route linking Belfast to the northeast and on to Derry."
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Construction of the scheme will start in early June 2009 and take about 10 months to complete.
"Traffic disruption will be negligible during most of the contract as the bulk of the works are being carried out offline through a greenfield site," said Mr Murphy.
"Some traffic disruption can be expected in the latter stages of the contract when the new road is being connected to the Ballee Road East and to the M2 Ballymena Bypass."
The scheme will improve safety; assist economic growth by reducing journey times; reduce congestion and delays and accommodate increasing traffic flows.
Fitted into the local topography, the scheme will conserve and enhance the environment whilst making best use of the existing strategic road network. These objectives align with the DRD's policy set out in the 'Regional Transportation Strategy 2002-2012'.
(PR/JM)
