The Minister confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to provide a climbing lane on the A28 Markethill Road at Edenaveys, south of Armagh city.
Contractors Gibson (Banbridge) Ltd are planning to begin work in mid-October and are expected to have it completed by Spring 2012.
Danny Kennedy said: “This climbing lane will help traffic progression on this strategic road linking Armagh and Newry and enable more efficient movement of people, goods and services that will provide tangible benefits to the local economy. It will also improve access to and from the minor roads along this route.
“The project will provide 1,800 metres of climbing lane in the southbound, Newry, direction along with a number of right turning lanes.”
The scheme will begin on the A28 Markethill Road at the junction with the Drumgaw Road, on the Armagh side of Edenaveys Crescent, and extend south-easterly towards Newry for a distance of approximately three kilometres.
Included among the construction activities that the contractor will undertake is the relocation of a number of services that currently extend along this road, including a substantial telecommunications plant.
Roads Service advises that temporary traffic management measures, including a 40 mph speed limit, will be put in place to facilitate these works, and encourages motorists to exercise particular care and attention as they drive through the road works.