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 original arrangement of roads at what was a staggered crossroads.

When the Banbridge Bypass was built here in 1977, and dualled in 1988, an accommodation underpass was provided to allow pedestrian access, and to allow farmers to herd cattle 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 was to build a second, dedicated road underpass to the north of the existing underpass, which reverted to pedestrian use. 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 was closed preventing any vehicles from turning right across the carriageways. The following map (not to scale) shows what was built. (See alternative Roads Service map by clicking here.)

In November 2008, Roads Service released a leaflet to the press and public containing the following artist's impression of the junction:

The works also included the provision of 1.1km of hard shoulders along both sides of the A1 as it passes Loughbrickland, a section which previously 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

22 Dec 2009: I have not been near the junction in recent weeks, but Roads Service had indicated that it should be fully open "by Christmas". In the absence of any concrete information, therefore, I have now marked this scheme as "completed". If you have any information that contradicts this, please let me know!

2 Nov 2009: The underpass opened to traffic on 19th October, but due to ongoing works this is currently limited to one lane with temporary traffic lights as shown in the photo below, taken two days after opening. The junction is scheduled to be completed by Christmas.

The underpass open to traffic on 21 Oct 2009. Looking east from Dublin Road. [Aubrey Dale]

Looking towards Dublin Road from the A1 above the new underpass, 21 Oct 2009. [Aubrey Dale]

18 Oct 2009: According to a web site visitor, reports are that traffic will be using the new underpass (in a controlled manner via traffic signals) over the next week. Roads Service have indicated that all the junctions on the A1 that are currently being upgraded should be completed by Christmas.

26 Sep 2009: Although the original schedule was to have this junction completed by now, there are no signs of imminent opening. Roads Service have only said that it will be completed "by the end of the year". Meanwhile, I contacted the contractor through their web site asking for an update on this scheme but, disappointingly, I did not receive any acknowledgement of my message.

6 July 2009: Work is progressing very well. The bridges are more or less completed, with some minor works to be completed on top. The underpass has now been fully excavated and work is underway to line the interior. The approaches to the underpass have also been excavated, although work has yet to begin on the road itself. The pictures below were taken to days ago by site visitor Aubrey Dale.

The completed A1 bridge (on the right) with the existing "car only" underpass
on the left. Looking towards Loughbrickland on 4 July 2009. [Aubrey Dale]

The view east from the A1 towards the location of the previous picture. The existing "car only" underpass is on the right, while the new one takes shape below. 4 July 2009. [Aubrey Dale]

16 Feb 2009: Since the last update, traffic has now moved onto the new northbound carriageway as seen in picture 1 below. Picture 2 shows how the new underpass is largely completed on the west side, although the earth has still to be excavated from it as the ground is only about two metres below the beams.

Pic 1: Looking north along the A1 over the old underpass (foreground)
and the new underpass (beyond) on 14 Feb 2009. [Aubrey Dale]

Pic 2: Looking east towards the new underpass structure, complete on
this side but not yet excavated. Seen on 14 Feb 2009. [Aubrey Dale]

1 Jan 2009: Work has progressed well over the past six months. The new underpass has been excavated and roofed. The pictures below show the current state of affairs. The similarities between the old and new underpasses suggest that the old underpass has been reconstructed.

The new underpass (left) beside the exiting one (right) on 31 Dec 2008. [Aubrey Dale]

Looking north along the A1 towards Belfast over the roof of new underpass.
Traffic is in a contra-flow on the right. Taken on 31 Dec 2008. [Aubrey Dale]

16 Nov 2008: Roads Service have released a leaflet containing details about this scheme, including an artist's impression of the junction (see above) and confirming that completion is due by Winter (ie late) 2009.

17 Jul 2008: The northbound carriageway of the A1 has been closed, with all traffic using a contraflow on the southbound carriageway. Workers have sunk piles that will form the sides of the western half of the future underpass. The plan is presumably to build the bridge deck on top, realign the A1 onto the bridge and then repeat the procedure for the other half of the underpass. The final part of the plan would be to excavate the debris from the underpass and construct the link road through it. The photos below were taken by Aubrey Dale about two weeks ago and clearly show the sides of the future underpass in place, although not yet excavated. This is the same procedure that was used successfully at Broadway on Belfast's recent Westlink upgrade.

The sides of the future underpass in place on the western side of the A1. Looking north along the line of the A1 in early July 2008. [Aubrey Dale, used with permission]

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.

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.

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]