A28 Armagh East - overview

Topics:

To extend the Strategic Road Network by providing a new link road on the east side of the city of Armagh connecting between the A3 Portadown Road and A28 Markethill Road to relieve traffic conditions and improve the environment in the historic city centre.

The proposal

The A28 Armagh East Link proposal includes a single carriageway link road, approximately 2.5km long, linking the A3 and A28 Trunk Roads. This will also incorporate a junction with the A51 Hamiltonsbawn Road, a third radial route leaving the city centre. The proposed route would run from the juncti

A28 Armagh East Link – Preferred Route
A28 Armagh East Link – Preferred Route
on of A28 Markethill Road and Ardmore Road, extending northwards to a proposed junction with A3 Portadown Road to the city side of Linsey’s Heights.  The proposed road would utilise the existing Ardmore Road, the existing road through Hamiltonsbawn Road Industrial Estate and a small part of the Linsey’s Heights Road.


Current position

The Department on 14 August 2023 published a prioritised list of major road schemes that will continue to be progressed.  There are a number of reasons why the prioritisation of projects, currently in the pipeline, was necessary, including the challenging budgetary position and constrained resources (in terms of finance and staff) and, importantly, the Department’s commitments under the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022.

Transport policies and plans are currently being reviewed and updated to align with these commitments and this work will help define what major transport infrastructure projects should be included within any future major roads programme.

The Department is currently drafting a new Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland (TSNI).  It will form an overarching framework which will shape the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services up to 2035.

Work is ongoing to complete the draft TSNI for public consultation.  Once the draft TSNI has been published, the Department will be able to review all work to date on the draft Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTNTP) in the context of the TSNI and the carbon target for transport, which has not yet been set.

The publication of the prioritised list of major road schemes, that will continue to be progressed, explains that development work on the Armagh East Link is currently paused.  A decision to recommence development work will be considered following confirmation of the RSTNTP.

Cost

The indicative costs of the A28 Armagh East Link are estimated to be £20 million (subject to future reviews).

Key Dates

  • 13 March 2006 - Public Information day in Armagh City Hotel
  • 20 March 2007 - Public Information day in Armagh City Hotel 
  • 11 June 2014 - Public Information day in Armagh City Hotel 
  • 22 July 2019 - Stage 2 scheme assessment report approved

Scheme Documents

 

Last updated February 2024

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