This is one of four junctions being upgraded on the A1 over the period 2007-09 as part of a single package. The junction gives access to the village of Loughbrickland at the southern end. The road is the B3 Dublin Road on the town side of the A1, and the B3 Grovehill Road on the eastern side. The map below shows the current arrangement of roads at what is currently a staggered crossroads.

When the Banbridge Bypass was built here in 1977, and dualled in 1988, an accommodation underpass was provided to allow both pedestrian access, and to allow local herds of cattle to cross under the road. In recent years the underpass has been surfaced to allow cars and other low vehicles to pass underneath, but larger vehicles must still cross the central reservation.

The plan is to build a second, dedicated road underpass to the north of the existing underpass, which will revert to pedestrian use. This is shown on the following map (although this is not the exact line of the proposed road). Roads Service developed six proposed designs and have since settled on this one, which was originally known as "option 4". Once completed, the central reservation will be closed preventing any vehicles from turning right across the carriageways.

Indicative junction layout.

See alternative Roads Service map by clicking here.

It seems that the works will also include the provision of 1.1km of hard shoulders along both sides of the A1 as it passes Loughbrickland, a section which currently only has the narrower hard strips. (Note that this is NOT the stretch of new dual-carriageway that opened in November 2006, which begins immediately south of the stretch referred to in this project.)

Progress

Update 14 Apr 2008: In March 2008 preliminary site clearance work began. Further work was evident as of this week, including the arrival of several large lengths of 2 metre culvert.

Update 11 Dec 2007: Work did not begin in October as stated by Roads Service. According to this press statement from early December, construction on the four A1 junctions is now due to get underway in "early 2008" which presumably includes this scheme.

Update 27 Sep 2007: According to Roads Service, work is due to get underway next month and will take just under two years to complete. Hedge removal has already taken place ahead of the bird nesting season.

Photos

The view north towards the existing underpass in October 2006. Currently low vehicles can use this underpass. The scheme will see a new underpass contructed beyond this one. [Photo by Aubrey Dale]