Status |
Construction scheme (completed) |
Where |
To replace the teardrop roundabout on Belfast's Outer Ring at Belvoir and the roundabout at Hospital Road / Purdysburn Road with traffic lights. |
Total Length |
n/a |
Dates |
Project announced 27 September 2005
Work due to commence late September 2005
Completion due May 2006 (revised from April)
Most work ceased June 2006 - no actual "completion date" publicised |
Cost |
£1.2m (revised from £1.1m)
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Photos |
See below |
See Also |
General area map
A55 Outer Ring dual-carriageway on this site |
The point where the dual-carriageway portion of the A55 Outer Ring in Belfast meets and continues as the Milltown Road past Shaw's Bridge has always been an odd junction. It consists of a teardrop roundabout because only traffic coming from the north can emerge at that point. About 100 metres to the west is the northbound carriageway, which is a simple priority T-junction. In the other direction, the Milltown Road continues for a short distance to the east before hitting a roundabout with the Hospital Road (which becomes the busy Hillhall Road) and the Purdysburn Road.
This scheme will see both roundabouts ripped out and replaced by two traffic light junctions. It will also see the Hospital and Purdysburn Roads widened at the point where they join the lights to increase capacity. This should improve both safety and travel times at these busy junctions.
According to the Roads Service press release, the scheme has been "fast tracked" since the Hillhall Road is an alternative route into Belfast that avoids the M1/Westlink where major upgrade work began in January 2006. This scheme will help to prepare the Hillhall Road to be a more viable alternative route for traffic displaced by these works.
Photos
The view of the works proceeding in mid November 2005, looking south from Milltown Road. The A55 Outer Ring dual-carriageway continues to the left while Purdysburn is straight ahead. The red-and-white blocks mark the existing teardrop roundabout, while the extent of the widening is evident towards the left of the road and on the new embankment beyond. [Photo by Wesley Johnston]
The same view eight months later in July 2006 after the project had been completed. Almost all the widening took place on the left of the road as seen here. The sliproad beside which the photographer is standing was also shifted to the left - the direction sign was moved. As you can see, capacity at this junction has been greatly increased by this scheme, although it remains to be seen how the introduction of three sets of traffic lights will affect the flow of vehicles. [Photo by Wesley Johnston]
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