Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced that the A45 Ballynakilly Road at Coalisland will reopen next week following the completion of a £1.9 million bridge replacement scheme. The road, closed since September 2025 for the demolition and replacement of Creenagh Bridge, is scheduled to reopen at 4.00 pm on Thursday 30 April 2026—months ahead of the original summer 2026 deadline.
The project involved the complete replacement of the ageing Creenagh Bridge, significant realignment of the adjoining carriageway, and the construction of new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. While the reopening marks an early finish compared to the initial programme, it falls slightly later than the mid-April timeframe local councillors had anticipated earlier this year.
What the scheme delivers
The Department for Infrastructure confirmed that Charles Brand Group Ltd has completed the main construction phases. The Belfast-based civil engineering contractor was awarded the project in June 2025, though weather-related delays pushed back certain elements of the work.
Minister Kimmins highlighted the dual benefits for road safety and commercial connectivity:
“The Bridge replacement and significant road realignment will improve safety for pedestrians and road users on the A45 Ballynakilly Road between Coalisland and the M1 Motorway. It will also assist with heavy goods vehicle movement and improve commercial connectivity in this area.”
The scheme also includes a 270-metre Active Travel footway linking to the Ballynakilly Road, designed to provide safer walking and cycling options in an area previously dominated by vehicle traffic.
“This substantial investment also includes the construction of an Active Travel footway for 270metres over the scheme linking to the Ballynakilly Road, which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users who travel through this area. These schemes demonstrate my commitment to improving our road and active travel networks which are vital for connecting our businesses and communities.”
Budget increase raises questions
Although local commuters welcome the reopening, the project budget has drawn scrutiny. The Department’s initial announcement in August 2025 stated the contract was valued at £1.6 million, yet this week’s press release describes the scheme as a £1.9 million investment—a rise of approximately 19 per cent or £300,000. The Department has not publicly explained the cost increase, leaving questions about whether the additional funds cover unforeseen engineering challenges, expanded scope, or inflationary pressures.
Local disruption and contractor background
The works required a full road closure from September 2025, with traffic diverted via the B520 Moor Road and B161 Annagher Road. Local representatives, including SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn, had pressed the Department for clarity on reopening dates after weather delays threatened to push the project beyond initial expectations.
Charles Brand Group Ltd, the contractor responsible for the works, is a long-established civil engineering firm with roots dating back to 1829. Now part of the Lagan Specialist Contracting group, the company has delivered major infrastructure projects including the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme and works on the M1 Motorway at Grosvenor Road. The firm currently holds significant public sector contracts across transport, utilities, and marine sectors.
Unanswered questions
As the road prepares to reopen, several issues remain unclear:
- Why did the project budget increase from £1.6 million to £1.9 million, and what specific additional works or costs does the extra £300,000 cover?
- How will the new 270-metre Active Travel footway connect to wider cycling and walking networks in Coalisland and Dungannon, or will it remain an isolated stretch?
- Given the weather delays acknowledged by local representatives, what contingency planning is in place to protect future infrastructure projects from increasingly unpredictable seasonal conditions?
- Will the improved heavy goods vehicle access lead to increased lorry traffic through residential areas, and if so, what traffic calming measures are planned?
What happens next
The Department has thanked residents, local businesses, and commuters for their patience during the seven-month closure. With the road reopening on 30 April 2026, attention will shift to how effectively the new infrastructure handles commercial traffic and whether the Active Travel provisions encourage a shift away from car dependency on this busy route connecting Coalisland to the M1.
The completion of the Creenagh Bridge scheme comes as Minister Kimmins continues to oversee major road maintenance programmes across Northern Ireland, including a recently announced £2.5 million additional allocation for essential repairs following severe winter weather.