Essential maintenance works to start on M2 at Bellevue Bridge, Belfast

Date published: 08 April 2021

A £500,000 major maintenance scheme on the M2 Bellevue Bridge will begin on 12 April 2021 and is expected to last twenty weeks.

The work will take place on the abutments, central pier and soffits of the bridge and involves removal and repair of concrete defects and installation of a protection system.

To facilitate the works it will be necessary to restrict road and lane closures to overnight periods with all lanes open to traffic from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm Monday to Friday. 

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said:

“This significant investment will have long term benefits in restoring the structure to a good condition. I would like to thank the travelling public and local residents in advance for their cooperation while these much needed works are completed.”

The Department has carefully planned these road works and associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience to the public.  Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative routes which will be clearly signed on the approaches to the closure.

The nature of the work being carried out will mean that some noise will be generated however, every precaution will be taken to keep any noise arising from these works to a minimum.

To complete the works the following road and lane closures will be in operation over the period from mid-April to the end of August:

  • From 11.00 pm on Monday 12 April until 6.00 am on Thursday 20 May there will be overnight lane closures on M2 under the bridge. There will be a minimum of one lane available at all times in each direction. During the period 6.00 am – 11.00 pm all lanes will be available;
  • There will be full closures in both directions on the following dates: from 11.00 pm on Thursday 20 May until 6.00 am on Friday 21 May; 11.00 pm on Friday 21 May until 7.00 am on Saturday 22 May; 11.00 pm on Monday 24 May until 6.00 am on Tuesday 25 May; 11.00 pm on Tuesday 25 May until 6.00 am on Wednesday 26 May 11.00 pm on Wednesday 26 May until 6.00 am on Thursday 27 May. During the period 6.00 am – 11.00 pm all lanes will be available; On Saturdays the road will re-open at 7.00 am.

The northbound diversion route from M2 J2 – M2 J4 will include M5 Northbound, A2 Shore Road, Station Road, O'Neill Road, Prince Charles Way, B90 Ballyhenry Road, M2 Junction 4, Sandyknowes.

The southbound diversion route from M2 J4 – M2 J2 will include M2 Southbound Junction 4 Off-slip, Sandyknowes roundabout, B90 Ballyhenry Road, Princes Charles Way, O'Neill Road, Station Road, A2 Shore Road, M5 Southbound, M2 Southbound.

  • From 11.00 pm on Thursday 27 May until 6.00 am on Thursday 1 July there will be overnight lane closures on M2 under the bridge. There will be a minimum of one lane available at all times in each direction. During the period 6.00 am – 11.00 pm all lanes will be available;
  • Starting at 11.00 pm on Thursday 1 July a programme of full overnight closures in both direction will be installed between 11.00 pm – 6.00 am from Monday to Friday until 27 August. During the period 6.00 am – 11.00 pm all lanes will be available. On Saturdays the road will re-open at 7.00 am;

The northbound diversion route from M2 J2 – M2 J4 will include M5 Northbound, A2 Shore Road, Station Road, O'Neill Road, Prince Charles Way, B90 Ballyhenry Road, M2 Junction 4 Sandyknowes.

The southbound diversion route from M2 J4 – M2 J2 will include M2 Southbound Junction 4 Off-slip, Sandyknowes roundabout, B90 Ballyhenry Road, Princes Charles Way, O'Neill Road, Station Road, A2 Shore Road, M5 Southbound, M2 Southbound.

Completion of the work by 27 August 2021 is subject to favourable weather conditions, however, the Department will keep the public informed of any change.  All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors. 

For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchni.

Notes to editors: 

  1. The work will be carried out by Highway Management (City) Ltd, as part of their Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract and the main contractor for the works is Larsen Contracts.
  2. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
  3. The Executive Information Service operates and out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hours and 0800 hours Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.  
  4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

Share this page

Back to top