The long-awaited Ballynahinch Bypass is held up due to the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme but will get there says the Department of Infrastructure
Down News inquired about the Ballynahinch bypass and why it is delayed. Many commuters in South Down including residents in Ballynahinch are looking forward to the completion of this much-needed project given there is traffic gridlock in Ballynahinch often.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “On 12 March 2025, the Minister Liz Kimmins announced the progression of the A24 Ballynahinch Bypass scheme and instructed officials to move forward with the development of the business case and procurement preparation for the project.
“The Department remains fully committed to the project and is currently undertaking a range of activities to progress the scheme, including engagement with landowners, updating surveys, updating scheme estimates, and reviewing the relevant documentation to reflect the passage of time.
“This work will contribute to the preparation of the procurement documentation and the updating of the scheme business case.
“The scheme has always been planned to start following completion of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme.”
The A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme (according to Department for Infrastructure (DfI) sources) say that this is a road safety project covering 25.2 km of the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough Roundabout and Loughbrickland in Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to make junctions and access onto this stretch safer.
The planned improvements include:
- Four new flyover-type junctions at Listullycurran Road, Gowdystown Road, Skeltons Road/Drumneath Road and Waringsford Road.
- Closing all gaps in the central reservation and installing a continuous central safety barrier.
- A new northbound entry slip road at Castlewellan Road, Banbridge.
- A link road between Milebush Road and the existing Hillsborough Road junction at Dromore.
- Closing selected side roads and private accesses, with remaining direct accesses generally operating as left-in/left-out.
- Relocating bus stops to junction areas and adding CCTV and electronic information signs.
For drivers, this would mean using the flyover junctions to cross the A1 or change direction, instead of turning through gaps across opposing traffic.
On cost and progress, the DfI lists an estimated cost of £120–£130 million. Its overview, updated in February 2026, says procurement began in December 2024, with a contract award originally expected in 2026 and construction taking around three years.
However, it reports that the scheme has been delayed following the A5 court judgment, with legal advice being sought on how to proceed. That earlier timetable should therefore not be treated as confirmed
