THE bulk of work to bypass the last town on the main Belfast to Derry route is now complete following the opening of the new stretch of the A6, signalling the end of decades of campaigning to ease traffic issues in Dungiven.
Motorists are now able to access the new dual carriageway following the completion of the A6 Derry to Dungiven scheme, construction of which began in 2018.
The upgrading of the 30 kilometre route, estimated to have cost around £400 million, will mean drivers can now avoid passing through the Co Derry town - the last on the main route between the cities to benefit from a wider A6 upgrade.
Last year saw the completion of the Randalstown to Castledawson stretch of the A6, and the latest new road aims to take even more time off the Belfast to Derry route.
However, motorists can expect some closures and restrictions on the new dual carriageway between now and the end of the summer as final works are completed.
Infrastructure commentator and author Wesley Johnston said plans to bypass Dungiven have been discussed since the 1970s and said it was the "end of a long journey" for locals in the area.
"This will mean lower pollution levels, and a return of the town centre of Dungiven to local people," he told the Irish News.
"Residents on the outskirts of the town found getting into the centre at peak travel times incredibly difficult and frustrating. Of course, the majority of traffic passing through did not stop to contribute to the local economy. Now, it also means if anyone does want to stop and shop, it will be much easier to do so."
Dungiven resident and volunteer driver Paul McCloskey said traffic in the town was "a lot quieter than usual" on Saturday, afternoon, hours after the opening of the new road.
He added in a tweet: "What a great day for the Dungiven community seeing the long overdue bypass after 60 years of campaigning."
Meanwhile, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood congratulated his party colleague and infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon for her department's work on the project.
"Just drove the new Dungiven bypass on the way to Belfast. Not fully completed yet but some great progress," he tweeted.
