THE A6 road project has taken another stride forward after two new footbridges were erected across a landmark junction in Co Derry.
The pedestrian bridges have been added to the Castledawson roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in the north with up to 20,000 cars using the A6 – the main route between Derry and Belfast – every day.
It also acts as a link between east and west and connects the new Magherafelt bypass with the key commercial route.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Infrastructure last night said the bridges “will increase connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and wheel-chair users between Castledawson and Magherafelt".
The work is part of an upgrade to dual carriageway standard of the A6 from the end of the M2 at Randalstown to the Toome bypass, and from Toome to Castledawson, which have long been a bottleneck for traffic.
A dual carriageway is also due to be built from Dungiven to Drumahoe outside Derry.
The department spokeswoman said the bridges at the Castledawson roundabout are “particularly important as there are almost 20,000 vehicles a day using the A6, making this a difficult road to cross.
“The department is committed to improving road safety, and these bridges will enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the vicinity of the roundabout, including bus passengers and users of the adjacent Park and Ride."
