Kimmins gives green light to A32 Cornamuck Road Scheme
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has given the green light to the A32 Cornamuck Road Scheme
The 1.4 km scheme will provide an important improvement on the A32 which is the main road between Omagh and Enniskillen. The upgrade, the latest in a series on that route, will improve transport links between the two towns and users of the South West Acute Hospital.
Minister Kimmins said:
“This is an essential route linking the main towns in Tyrone and Fermanagh. An upgrade on this road at Cornamuck will provide greater connectivity to both acute hospital services and education facilities for the local communities as well as enhancing road safety measures, reducing journey times and increasing public transport reliability along the route.”
“I am delighted to be able to move this important road scheme forward. I am committed to ensuring that roads across the north including those in rural areas continue to receive the investment required to suit local needs.”
The Minister also confirmed the way forward for a number of other major road and transport projects. Speaking as the Department published an update to the prioritised list of major road infrastructure schemes that will be progressed over the next ten years she said:
“Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities but we need to be realistic about what we can deliver. I have been keen to revisit the prioritisation of our major road projects to derive maximum benefit from forecasted departmental budget allocations, enabling decisions to be made now.
“I have already committed to the progression of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 project, the A24 Ballynahinch Bypass, followed up now with the A32 Cornamuck project. These will be delivered sequentially to help manage the funding impact on other departmental services.
“I can confirm that in addition to these schemes my Department will continue with the development of our Executive Flagship projects and those included within City and Growth Deals.
“These strategic and flagship road improvement schemes will deliver for many communities across the north for generations to come. We will remain ready to progress further schemes in future years should additional funding become available.”
Notes to editors:
- Further information on the A32 Cornamuck Scheme is available on the Department’s website at: A32 Omagh to Enniskillen - overview | Department for Infrastructure
- The Department will now commence the work to review and update the necessary documents to bring this scheme to procurement, including the finalising of the Business Case. Following the delivery of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 and A24 Ballynahinch projects it is currently planned to start procurement in 2030/31 with construction starting in 2031/32. This will be kept under review and if funding opportunities arise it may be possible to commence the scheme earlier. Delivery of the scheme will be dependent on the future availability of finance.
- The list of roads to be prioritised is outlined below. This includes the closing out of projects that have been recently constructed.
- A6 Randalstown to Castledawson – closing out the project
- A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe Phase 1 – closing out the project
- A5 Western Transport Corridor
- A6 Derry to Dungiven Phase 2
- Belfast Rapid Transit 2
- Lagan Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge
- Newry Southern Relief Road
- A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass
- A29 Cookstown Bypass
- Derry Riverfront
- Strabane Footbridge
- A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme
- A24 Ballynahinch Bypass
- A32 Cornamuck scheme
- The Department has been working closely with Local Councils and other stakeholders on the development of a new suite of Transport Plans which will set out the framework for transport policy and investment decisions up until 2035. The progression of other major road schemes will be informed by this ongoing work and the future availability of funding.
- Alternative funding models are to be explored that could allow for the progression of the York Street Interchange Scheme.
- Further development of the A2 Buncrana Road is awaiting the outcome of the North West Transport Plan.
- More details on the timeline and status of projects is available on the Department’s website at: Prioritisation of the Major Roads Programme - FAQs | Department for Infrastructure
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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