A £220,000 resurfacing scheme on the A29 Desertmartin Road in Moneymore will begin on Monday 21 September 2026, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced. The works will cover approximately 450 metres between the Jungle NI adventure centre and Glenquilly Road, with completion expected by the end of October.
The announcement comes as part of ongoing maintenance across Northern Ireland’s road network, though the Department for Infrastructure has not disclosed what prompted this specific intervention or the current condition of the road surface.
What the works involve
The scheme will resurface a stretch of the A29, a key trunk route connecting towns across Mid Ulster including Maghera, Tobermore, Desertmartin and Moneymore. According to the Department, the works have been scheduled to minimise disruption:
- Traffic management: Two-way flow maintained using lane closures under traffic signal control
- Speed restrictions: Mandatory 40mph limit with no overtaking
- Start date: Monday 21 September 2026
- Completion: Friday 30 October 2026, weather permitting
The Department acknowledges that “road users should expect some delays” despite efforts to accommodate local access.
Minister’s statement
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:
“This is a substantial investment for the A29 trunk route which will deliver significant benefits for road users. The investment demonstrates my commitment to investing in and 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.”
Context and comparisons
The £220,000 investment sits within broader road spending across Northern Ireland. In 2023-24, total road expenditure reached £458 million, with £120 million allocated to structural maintenance including resurfacing, according to official statistics.
Comparable recent schemes include:
- Farnaloy Road, Madden (February 2026): £375,000 for 3.3km of resurfacing
- Waring Street and Bridge Street, Belfast (June 2026): £140,000 for city centre carriageway works
However, the Desertmartin Road announcement lacks detail on why this specific stretch requires attention now. The Department’s press release does not cite safety concerns, surface condition surveys, or prior complaints from road users.
According to Wikipedia (as of October 2025), parts of the Maghera-Moneymore route have been described as “heavily worn and uneven,” though it is unclear whether this specific 450-metre section was among those flagged. The Jungle NI is a major tourist destination on this stretch, attracting visitors from across Northern Ireland.
Questions unanswered
Several gaps remain in the public information:
- What condition surveys triggered this specific intervention?
- How does the cost per metre compare to similar resurfacing projects? (At approximately £489 per metre, this scheme appears broadly in line with comparable investments.)
- Have local residents or businesses raised concerns about this stretch previously?
- What assessment has been made of the impact on The Jungle NI and other local enterprises during peak autumn activity?
- How does this fit into longer-term plans for the A29, including the prioritised Cookstown Bypass scheme?
What to watch
Road users can check TrafficwatchNI for real-time updates. The Department has committed to informing the public of any schedule changes due to weather.
With the scheme running through late September and October—periods when rural tourism remains active and weather increasingly unpredictable—delivery on the 30 October completion date will test the Department’s programming. The Minister previously criticised resurfacing delays in 2021, describing roads as “already a disgrace.”