The A26 runs from Antrim to Ballymena and, in 2001, carried 21,000 vehicles per day. This makes it one of the busiest rural roads in Northern Ireland connecting the entire north coast including Coleraine as well as Ballymoney and Ballymena to the greater Belfast area. Had the M2 been completed as originally planned then it would carry this traffic. However, the fact that the section of M2 between Antrim and Ballymena was cancelled left Antrim and Ballymena permanently connected only by the A26.

The first 4.5km of the route was dualled and opened in 1989, while the second 3.0km opened in 1999. This marks the third and final phase that completes the dualling of this route. The dual-carriageway terminates at the Ballee Roundabout south of Ballymena.

Roads Service statistics show that this phase involved moving 350,000 tons of earth and the laying of 16,000 metres of kerbstones and 47,000 tons of tarmac!