Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a £230,000 resurfacing scheme for the B66 Bann Road in Ballymoney, with work set to begin on Monday 23 March 2026. The project—designated “Phase 1” by the Department for Infrastructure—covers approximately 930 metres of carriageway from the junction of Drumskea Road towards Bendooragh village, representing the latest in a series of targeted investments in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
Scheme Details and Timeline
The works will run for two weeks, from Monday 23 March until Friday 3 April 2026, subject to favourable weather conditions. To facilitate safe resurfacing, the road will close daily between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
- Location: B66 Bann Road, Ballymoney (Drumskea Road junction to Bendooragh village)
- Length: Approximately 930 metres
- Duration: Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2026
- Working hours: 9am to 5pm daily
- Investment: £230,000
- Completion: Expected by Friday 3 April 2026 (weather permitting)
During the closure period, a signed diversionary route will direct traffic via C91 Glenstall Road, C91 Balnamore Road, U4131 Ballybrakes Road, B62 Bann Road, and back onto the B66 Bann Road. The Department has stated that while local access will be accommodated where possible, road users should expect delays and allow additional time for journeys.
Minister’s Commitment to Rural Investment
Minister Kimmins framed the announcement as part of a broader commitment to maintaining Northern Ireland’s rural road network. In December 2025, the Minister allocated over £30 million in additional funding for road improvements, including £4 million specifically targeted at rural roads. This Ballymoney scheme follows recent investments in the same area, including a £308,000 resurfacing project on Charlotte Street completed earlier in 2025 and a £415,000 scheme on Kilraughts Road announced in March 2024.
Minister Kimmins said:
“This is a substantial investment for the Ballymoney area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users. The investment 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.”
Traffic Management and Public Information
The Department has programmed the work to minimise inconvenience, though the timing coincides with the Easter period, with works scheduled to conclude on Good Friday (3 April 2026). Motorists can access real-time traffic information and updates on the scheme via Trafficwatchni.
The public can report potholes and surface defects through the nidirect online portal, which the Department uses to help prioritise future maintenance programmes.
The Wider Context: Maintenance Backlog and Strategic Priorities
While the £230,000 investment will address surface defects on this specific stretch of the B66, it forms part of a piecemeal approach to a much larger challenge. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has previously identified an estimated £1.2 billion structural maintenance backlog across Northern Ireland’s road network. Small-scale resurfacing schemes, while welcome for local communities, highlight the ongoing struggle to address systemic under-investment in infrastructure.
The designation of this project as “Phase 1” suggests further work is planned for the B66 Bann Road corridor, though the Department has not specified the scope, cost, or timeline for subsequent phases.
Questions Worth Asking
- What is the total estimated cost and scope of the full B66 Bann Road improvement programme, and when will Phase 2 be scheduled?
- How does the Department prioritise which sections of the rural road network receive limited maintenance funding, and what criteria placed the B66 ahead of other routes in the Ballymoney area?
- Given that works conclude on Good Friday, what contingency plans are in place should weather delays push the completion date into the Easter bank holiday weekend?
- How will the Department measure the long-term durability of this resurfacing work to ensure value for money, particularly given the severe weather conditions that have damaged other recently repaired roads?
- Will this scheme coordinate with planned utility works or other infrastructure projects in the Bendooragh area to prevent repeated road openings and closures?
The completion of the B66 scheme by early April will provide temporary relief for drivers on this busy rural route, but the broader challenge of clearing the billion-pound maintenance backlog remains. Residents will be watching for confirmation of Phase 2 funding and clearer timelines for when the remaining sections of the Bann Road will receive similar attention.