The preferred route for the proposed £113m dualling of the 14km section of the A8 between Ballyclare and Larne, in Co Antrim, has been announced.

It will run between the Coleman’s Corner roundabout near Ballyclare and the B100 Ballyrickard Road junction near Larne and is primarily an on-line improvement of the existing single carriageway road to dual carriageway, with a by-pass to the east of Bruslee, and a by-pass to the west of Ballynure.

Roads Minister Conor Murphy said: "This development, in terms of transport links, will act as a catalyst to the local economy, particularly during these uncertain financial times. Some 17,000 vehicles currently use the A8 every day, a high proportion of which are heavy goods vehicles.

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"Selecting the preferred route has been challenging, but I believe the route chosen is a equitable balance of traffic, environmental and engineering issues, and provides an economically viable solution."

This preferred route announcement is the culmination of a thorough assessment of twelve potential corridor options for the route.

The corridors were assessed against the Government’s five key objectives for transport: environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. Roads Service also undertook consultation exhibitions for the corridors in November 2008.

This was followed by individual, one-to-one consultations with all potentially affected landowners. Consultation feedback formed an important part of the assessment process and helped inform the scheme assessment process.

Roads Service said it will continue to develop the design for this scheme in preparation for progressing the project through the necessary environmental, planning and land acquisition statutory procedures.

(PR/KMcA)