It’s almost a perpetual cycle of updates but the main road between Scarva and Loughbrickland, which has been closed since November, will remain shut for the remainder of the month – at least.
It had previously been reported that the Legananny Road would open to traffic again at the end of March.
However, further issues with water mains has delayed that proposed date until the end of April, meaning the road will have been closed for six months from the initially work began.
Before Christmas, contractors started working on the road subsidence but a snag was hit with a water mains, pausing the work for a time.
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “The essential works on the Legananny Road include a culvert replacement scheme, masonry retaining wall improvements and the associated carriageway reinstatement. It is hoped that the works will be completed in early April weather permitting.”
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: “Unfortunately the end of March date for reopening has since passed because of further works needing carried out by NI Water. I have been continuing to liaise with DFI and have had confirmation that these works are now under way and end of April is the new date for proposed reopening.
“This has been hugely frustrating and I would commend residents and road users for their patience.
“We have had a few false dawns with proposed reopening dates but be assured I have continued to stress the need for it to reopen as soon as possible as it is impacting travel times. New Bridge Integrated School bus routes and the roads being used as unofficial diversionary routes are in a terrible state.
“As has been confirmed throughout, all other roads impacted by this closure will be assessed in due course for maintenance/surfacing given the extra traffic they have carried during this period of sustained closure of the Legananny Road.
“In the meantime I would encourage people to use the specified diversionary routes, take care on the adjoining roads and be mindful of residents living in the area with increased traffic and verges which have been damaged as a result of vehicles having to travel alternative routes.”
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