Dual-Carriageway Upgrade
In October 2006, senior Irish Government sources confirmed that the forthcoming National Development Plan for the years 2007 to 2013 would include plans to offer co-funding for a series of infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland. The funding was accepted and in November 2007 the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development announced that a route selection study had begun to upgrade the entire A5 route to dual-carriageway from the N2 at the Irish border near Aughnacloy, to Derry. This year it was decided that instead of upgrading the current road, a new dual carriageway would be constructed. The length of the new motorway will be 88 kilometres (55 mi). This would provide faster journey times from Derry and Northern Donegal to Dublin and beyond. It was suggested that if traveling on the new 88 km route then you could shave 20 minutes off traveling time. However, this may be very unlikely if traveling to Derry especially during rush hour traffic due to the road returning to single carriageway on the outskirts of the city, thus potentially forming a 'bottle neck' and causing congestion rather than relieving it. The cost of the project is currently estimated at approximately £850m up from the original estimate of £560m in 2007, of which will be partly funded by the Republic of Ireland. This will be both the longest and most expensive single road scheme ever undertaken in Northern Ireland. Construction is estimated to be completed by 2017. In June 2008, Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced plans for a feasibility study into creating an A6 - A5 Link Road around Derry City, This will more than likely also be of HQDC Standard. Please note though that this is not a commitment on behalf of his department.
Read more about this topic: A5 Road (Northern Ireland)