This long-awaited project will deliver crucial improvements to one of Northern Ireland’s most important transport routes, enhancing safety and saving lives says local MP Carla Lockhart. 

The upgrades will focus on the 25km stretch of the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, a key route used by 40,000 vehicles daily. Essential safety measures planned include: 

- Four new grade-separated flyover junctions to ease traffic flow and reduce accidents. 

- Closure of all gaps in the central reservation, addressing a key safety concern. 

- A continuous central reserve safety barrier to separate traffic and minimise collision risks. 

Construction is set to begin in early 2026. 

Speaking following the announcement Carla Lockhart MP said: “Lives will be saved with this project. This is a monumental step forward for the A1 Safety Measures Project. I have been lobbying tirelessly on behalf of our community for years, and I am pleased to see this critical project progressing. With 40,000 vehicles using this stretch daily, the upgrades are not just important—they are essential. 

The closure of gaps in the central reservation, new flyover junctions, and the installation of a continuous safety barrier will transform this road into a much safer route for all users. Lives will be saved as a direct result of these measures, and that is what matters most. 

I will continue to work closely with the Department to ensure this project stays on track, and I look forward to seeing construction commence in 2026. This is a win for road safety, for modernising our infrastructure, and for our local community."