A1 (Northern Ireland)
A1 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Belfast (J337740) | |||
To: | Killeen (J068195) | |||
Distance: | 42.8 miles (68.9 km) | |||
Meets: | A20, A11, A55, A512, A49, A3, M1, A101, A26, A50, A28, A27, A25, A2, N1 | |||
Former Number(s): | A503 | |||
Old route now: | A26, A28, A2, B113 | |||
Primary Destinations | ||||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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For the British A1 from London to Edinburgh, see A1.
For the Manx A1 from Douglas to Peel, see A1 (Isle of Man).
For the A1 on Jersey from St Helier west along the coast, see A1 (Jersey).
The A1 is part of the historic postal route from Belfast to Dublin, although the northern section is now shadowed by the A12 Westlink and M1.
Route
It starts outside Belfast City Hall and heads southwest through suburbia as far as Lisburn before diverging from the M1's route at junction 7, heading south towards Banbridge and Newry. Between Sprucefield and Newry, the road is a dual carriageway with hard shoulders throughout most of the length, but with property accesses, bus stops, and at grade junctions, including roundabouts at Hillsborough and Sprucefield. For the majority of this section, National Speed Limit applies, although there are some short sections subject to a 60 m.p.h. limit.
In 2020 a consultation on A1 Junctions Phase 2 took place to improve the standard of the A1 between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland. This would involve the closure of 111 crossings of the central reservation, as well as some side roads. Four new grade separated junctions would also be created, while bus stops on the carriageway would be relocated to the junctions as a cost of £65-75m. Construction is expected to start when funds allow.
The Newry bypass was the last remaining section of single carriageway between Belfast and Dublin, but was completed to dual carriageway in mid 2010. This section has been completed to 'motorway' standard, with full grade separation and restrictions on property access/frontage.
After the Newry Bypass, the A1 crosses the border and becomes the N1, leading to the Republic's M1 towards Dublin. However, the border does funny things in this area and the next junction south straddles the border, with a short section of the northbound N1 actually in Northern Ireland.
Opening Dates
Year | Section | Notes |
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1973 | Dromore Bypass | Ulster Star of 31 August 1973 reported that, traffic-wise, the town had become a ghost town since the opening of the bypass. Initially one carriageway was open for two way traffic. |
1974 | Hillsborough Bypass | The official opening was on 18 September 1974 (per Banbridge Chronicle of 29 November 1974), but it appears that only the northbound carriageway was opened. The southbound carriageway was due to open on 5 November 1974 (per the Belfast Telegraph of 4 November 1974). |
1995 | Newry Bypass | Stage 2: Armagh Road to Camlough Road. Banbridge Leader of 12 April 1995 reported that the road had been officially opened “last week” by Malcolm Moss, Environment Minister . It included a climbing lane section. Contractor was Gibson Joint Venture of Banbridge, cost £4.4 million. Later renumbered A27 upon the opening of the new build northern section of bypass in 2010. |
1996 | Newry Bypass | Stage 3: Camlough Road to Dublin Road. The 2.5 mile road opened on 6 November 1996 to complete the bypass. Contractor was Gibson Joint Venture of Banbridge, cost £7.2 million. |
2010 | Newry Bypass | 7.5 mile scheme including new section from Camlough Road to Sheepbridge Interchange and dual carriageway upgrade of existing bypass south of Camlough Road. Opened on 29 July 2010. It completed the dual carriageway between Belfast and Dublin. Contractor was Amey Lagan Roads Ltd. (an Amey, Lagan and Ferrovial Agroman consortium), cost £150 million. |
Videos
Links
DfI Roads
BBC News
Northern Ireland Road Site
legislation.gov.uk