DBFO1 - M1/Westlink & M2 Scheme

Belfast

The works to the M1/Westlink, the main access route to the south and west of the Province and to the Republic of Ireland, involved the widening of the M1 between Stockman’s Lane and Broadway junction to dual three-lane motorway; a dual three lane underpass at Broadway and partial underpass at Grosvenor Road; widening the Westlink to a dual three lane road between Broadway and Divis Street junctions; modifying the Roden Street/Mulhouse Road signalised junction; bus priority measures between Broadway and Roden Street; segregated cycleway/footway between Broadway and Grosvenor junction; replacement of Stockman’s Lane Bridge and the replacement of Roden Street Footbridge.

The works to the M2 Motorway, which provides the main access routes to the north-west and north of the Province, included widening 5km of the inbound section of the M2 motorway between Sandyknowes roundabout and 3 lanes city bound; replacing the substandard bridges at Hightown, Collinbridge and Longlands; widening over 0.6km of the outbound section of the M2 motorway through the Greencastle interchange to provide 3 lanes, and the installation of 2 additional slip roads onto the M2 motorway at the Antrim Area Hospital junction.

The project was the first road scheme in Northern Ireland to be procured using the Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) form of Public Private Partnership.  As well as designing, constructing and financing the road improvements, Highway Management Group are responsible for operating and maintaining some 60km of the motorway and trunk road network for a period of 30 years.

The project was completed on programme, with several key milestones achieved ahead of programme – the Broadway underpass was opened 13 months ahead of schedule.