Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced £1.1 million in essential resurfacing works for the A29 Moy Road in Armagh, with preparatory work beginning today. The announcement comes just two days after a fatal collision claimed three lives on the same stretch, and follows weeks of urgent calls from local representatives who described the route as “an accident waiting to happen” due to severe potholing and dangerous surface conditions.
The works will target two specific sections of the vital trunk route: a 900-metre stretch running north of the Grange Blundell Road junction to south of Kinbawn Road, and an 850-metre stretch from north of Aghanore Road to south of Drumcairn Road. Additional significant carriageway repairs will also be carried out in the vicinity of Cabragh Road.
Work Schedule and Traffic Management
The project will proceed in two phases under strict traffic management arrangements, including a temporary 40mph speed limit throughout the duration of the works:
- Phase One (Investigatory and Preparatory): Monday 30 March to Saturday 4 April 2026, with overnight road closures from 8pm to 6am
- Phase Two (Main Resurfacing): Monday 13 April to Saturday 2 May 2026, combining daytime traffic control between 9.30am and 4.30pm each day and overnight road closures between 8pm and 6am
During overnight closures, traffic will be diverted via Moy Road, Railway Street, Lonsdale Road, College Hill, Portadown Road, Dobbin Road, Armagh Road, Northway, Brownstown Road, Charles Street, Corcrain Road, Dungannon Road, Moy Road, Ardress Road, Summerisland Road, Collegelands Road, Main Street, and Armagh Road.
The Department has stated that work operations have been programmed to minimise inconvenience, though road users should expect delays and allow additional time for journeys. Motorists can check Trafficwatchni for real-time updates.
Ministerial Statement
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:
“This investment in these essential maintenance resurfacing works will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users and demonstrates my commitment to improving our road network, which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities. I would like to thank residents, local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.”
Safety Concerns and Recent Tragedy
The announcement follows a devastating weekend collision on the Armagh Road in Moy that resulted in three fatalities. The incident, which occurred on Saturday 28 March, involved multiple vehicles and prompted immediate road closures while emergency services responded.
Prior to the collision, Armagh SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon had raised urgent concerns about the road’s condition on 16 March, describing it as “unfit for purpose” and “riddled with potholes.” In a public statement, Cllr O’Hanlon warned that motorists were being forced into dangerous manoeuvres: “In some sections the surface is so bad that motorists are left with no option but to swerve into the opposite side of the road or onto the hard shoulder. When you meet oncoming traffic at those points, the situation becomes genuinely frightening.”
Cllr O’Hanlon has since welcomed the works but noted they will take place during Holy Week, potentially affecting those attending religious services. He confirmed he has raised this timing issue with DfI Roads Service.
Budget Constraints and Network Challenges
While the £1.1 million investment represents a significant outlay for these specific sections, it comes against a backdrop of acknowledged underfunding across Northern Ireland’s road network. The Department for Infrastructure’s 2025-26 capital budget stands at £917 million—an increase of £63.4 million from the previous year—yet Divisional Roads Manager Simon Wells confirmed to Belfast City Council in November 2025 that the £68 million allocated for structural maintenance “falls significantly short of our funding requirements.”
The Department has also recently established a £7.85 million Winter Recovery Road Fund to address weather-related damage, with Minister Kimmins noting that 49,000 defects were recorded in the three months preceding February 2026—nearly half the total for the entire previous year.
Outstanding Questions
- Given the Department acknowledges its £68 million structural maintenance budget falls “significantly short” of requirements, how will it prioritise which critical roads receive emergency intervention versus comprehensive resurfacing?
- Does the £1.1 million allocation for these specific sections adequately address the broader deterioration of the A29, or will further funding be required to bring the entire trunk route up to a safe standard?
- What interim safety measures were implemented during the 48-hour gap between the fatal collision and the commencement of preparatory works?
- How will the Department measure the long-term success of this scheme in preventing future incidents, particularly given the road’s history of serious collisions and its classification as a key east-west trunk route?
- Will the phased approach—particularly works during Holy Week—adequately balance construction efficiency with community needs, including access to religious services?
The resurfacing scheme is expected to be substantially complete by 2 May 2026, subject to favourable weather conditions. The Department has committed to keeping the public informed of any changes to the schedule.