North Street in Lurgan is due to re-open to traffic this weekend.
From Saturday, the main town centre thoroughfare will be back to normal for the first time in weeks.
The road had been closed after a gable wall of the Foresters building, which has been undergoing extensive restoration work, collapsed early in July.
While the street had reopened for pedestrians, it was a ‘no go’ for vehicles.
The ongoing situation had prompted concerns among local shop owners who feared a loss of business.
They had been at pains to try and remind the public that the road might have been closed to traffic but their doors continued to remain very much open.
Now, there is good news on the horizon.
The steel frame required to secure the collapsed building has now been installed.
And that means traffic will once again be permitted along North Street in the coming days.
The news has been welcomed by local Sinn Fein Councillor Mary O’Dowd.
“This news will be a huge relief to traders who have faced weeks of a closed-off street which has restricted trade,” she said.
“Traffic throughout the town has been disrupted as a result of the closure and, with the school holidays fast coming to an end, it was imperative North Street was reopened to traffic.
“I want to thank council officials who have worked tirelessly to reach this stage and to commend traders and their staff who kept going through what was a very challenging period.”
