Minister Kimmins welcomes completion of £780,000 road improvement scheme for Dungannon Road, Portadown
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed the completion of a £780,000 road improvement scheme for Dungannon Road, Portadown which has also delivered a number of road safety upgrades including a new PUFFIN crossing for the area.
Visiting Portadown as the new PUFFIN crossing became operational Minister Kimmins met with local residents as well as pupils and staff from the nearby St John the Baptist College and St John the Baptist Primary School. The overall scheme involved the asphalt resurfacing of approximately 1.3 kilometres of Charles Street and Dungannon Road and has improved the existing road surface condition, provided enhanced road markings and warning signing to improve safety.
Minister Kimmins said:
“Road safety is an extremely high priority for my Department, and I am committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and address the needs of all road users. I am delighted to be in Portadown today to see the completed resurfacing works on the Dungannon Road and to officially mark the switch on of the new PUFFIN crossing.
“People in the area will be well aware of how busy the Dungannon Road is as a key strategic route into and out of Portadown. In recent years there has been a significant number of new houses built in the area, and it was therefore important that as part of our plans to upgrade the road we also considered the road safety impacts with new measures that will improve safety for local people including those going to either St John the Baptist College or St John the Baptist Primary School.
“The new PUFFIN crossing installed at the rear entrance to St John the Baptist College will benefit not only pupils, parents and school staff but will also assist pedestrians including more vulnerable road users as they access shops and services or attend the local church.
“As part of the resurfacing scheme a footway link was also constructed between the junctions of Craigwell Avenue and Charles Street to allow a safer crossing point as well as two new pedestrian islands on the main Dungannon Road at The Spires which will not only make it safer for pupils and residents to cross the road but will also help to lower vehicle speeds.
“The substantial investment of £780,000 for the Portadown area will deliver significant benefits for local businesses, residents and road users. The investment demonstrates my commitment to improving our road network, which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities.”
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins with staff and pupils from St John the Baptist College at the switching on of the PUFFIN crossing at the new road improvement scheme at Dungannon Road, Portadown.
- PUFFIN stands for Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent Crossing. PUFFINS have the red/green man on the push button unit beside the pedestrian; there is no flashing amber signal to drivers – they are held on a red signal until pedestrians have completed their crossing and the time for pedestrians to cross the road can be extended by sensors which detect people still on the crossing.
- Drivers also benefit from PUFFINS when a pedestrian pushes the push button and then moves away, the demand for the green man is cancelled so drivers do not experience an unnecessary delay.
- 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.
- Follow the Department on social media: