Ministers announce the award of £3.4m contract for Gortin Road Improvement Scheme

Date published: 14 May 2025

The contract was awarded to John McQuillan (Contracts) Ltd on 8 May 2025 with works expected to commence in summer 2025 and to be complete in summer 2026.

The scheme includes road widening, to allow for two lanes of traffic in each direction along the Mountjoy Road/ Gortin Road and provision of shared use footway and cycleway. The existing Old Mountfield Road/Mountjoy Road Junction will be upgraded and a new signalised crossing will be provided at the Strathroy Road/ Gortin Road Junction along with a second lane along Strathroy Road.

Minister Kimmins said: 

“The works will improve road safety for road users, pedestrians and cyclists in the area, including those who will be travelling to and from the Campus. This will involve improved accessibility and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, such as controlled crossing points, and provision of a grass verge/planting area at Grange Park to separate pedestrians and cyclists from the road.

“The scheme will support and facilitate the use of more sustainable modes of transport including walking, cycling and public transport and will also include a new footway on Gortin Road at Maryville Terrace where at present pedestrians walk on the carriageway of this busy road.”

The road improvement scheme has been developed to help address the anticipated increase in pedestrian, public transport and vehicle traffic and movement in relation to the operation of Strule Shared Education Campus (SSEC), which will involve the daily movement of over 4,000 school children, plus school staff. When completed it will provide an important link to the Campus from the north and west of the town. The work builds on that already delivered at the Strathroy Link Road completed in November 2019.

Education Minister Paul Givan said: 

“I welcome the award of this contract which is being funded by my Department as it will contribute to the successful delivery of the Strule Shared Education Campus, a pioneering project which will be the largest education project ever delivered in Northern Ireland.”

The Department and contractor will carefully programme the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience. However, while steps will be taken to accommodate local access for residents and local bus services,  road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works. Road users are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions.