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New £55million upgrade to the main road to the north coast is officially opened

The new £55 million A26 Frosses dual-carriageway from Glarryford to A44 Drones officially opened today. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
The new £55 million A26 Frosses dual-carriageway from Glarryford to A44 Drones officially opened today. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye The new £55 million A26 Frosses dual-carriageway from Glarryford to A44 Drones officially opened today. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

ONCE a notorious bottleneck for commuters, the main road to the north coast has been officially opened following a £55million upgrade.

The ribbon was cut today on the long-awaited dual carriageway along the A26 Frosses road from Glarryford to A44 Drones, near Ballymoney.

The upgrade to the route - the main road connecting Belfast and Coleraine - also includes a new roundabout at the Drones Road and three flyover junctions.

Used by 18,000 commuters every day, the carriageway was constructed close to the original A26 route, which has meant that local landmarks, including the Frosses Trees, have been retained.

Since construction began in January 2015, around 27 km of drainage pipe has been laid, 32 km of fencing erected, 24,000 tonnes of concrete poured and 280,000 tonnes of material laid in the pavement construction.

Around 225,000 cubic metres of peat were also excavated, some of which was used in a local bog regeneration initiative.

From left, Paul Reid, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Deidre Mackle, Divisional Roads Manager, William Diver, BAM McCann jv and Joan Baird, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
From left, Paul Reid, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Deidre Mackle, Divisional Roads Manager, William Diver, BAM McCann jv and Joan Baird, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye From left, Paul Reid, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Deidre Mackle, Divisional Roads Manager, William Diver, BAM McCann jv and Joan Baird, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Speaking at the opening ceremony Department of Infrastructure divisional roads manager Deidre Mackle said the new eight kilometre road would cut journey times.

"This road scheme will have a significant impact on the 18,000 motorists who use the road daily, halving journey times during peak periods, removing traffic queues, reducing driver frustration and improving safety on the route," she said.

"The upgrade, which has retained the iconic Frosses Trees, will also have knock on impacts for the local economy and contribute to wider economic development for the region both in the short and in the long term."

Construction of the scheme by the Joint Venture of BAM McCann and provided employment opportunities to seven people through the Department for Employment and Learning Steps to Work programme, as well as five student placements over 40 weeks during construction.

Ms Mackle added: "I am mindful of the inconvenience experienced by local businesses and landowners on the route during the construction phase and would wish to extend my gratitude to them for their patience".