Belfast’s Rapid Transit system
agendaNi reviews the current state of Belfast’s Rapid Transit system.
The Belfast Rapid Transit system is a modern bus system that will see buses transport people along priority routes from park and ride facilities on the outskirts of Belfast.
The service is due to begin in 2018 and the roadworks necessary to get the service up and running are detailed below.
Works underway
Falls Road between Grosvenor Road and Whiterock Road
Work on this part of the project started in early September and is due to be completed by the end of October. Until 31st October there will be lane closures on the Falls Road from the Broadway junction to Whiterock road with delays of five to 10 minutes expected as a result.
Upper Newtownards Road between Albert Bridge and Sandown Road
Work started on the Upper Newtownards Road in June and should take roughly nine months to complete with work expected to wrap up in March. Currently, one lane of the road is closed from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will be until Monday 11th January. It is estimated that this closure will add an additional travel time of five to ten minutes to any journey using this route.
Public transport journeys
Dundonald Park and Ride
In November last year work was competed at the Dundonald Park & Ride. Currently, the facility is served by a dedicated limited stop Metro 4X express service with stops at Stormont, Ballyhackmore and Central Station between 7am and 7pm on weekdays. Existing Translink Ulsterbus services will service the facility at other times. Bicycle parking facilities are also provided.
Upper Newtownards Road between Sandown Road and Knock Road
Work on this section of the Newtownards Road was completed last March. The road has been widened and one new puffin pedestrian crossing has been installed near Ormiston Crescent. The new bus lanes operate both ways during peak hours from 7:30am to 9:30am and from 3:30pm to 6:30pm on weekdays. The department have advised that upon completion, all new bus lanes will be in use to allow the public time to become familiar with the new layouts before the BRT system becomes operational.
Works starting soon
Andersonstown Road/Stewartstown Road between Finaghy Road North and Michael Ferguson Roundabout
The New Year will see work begin on this part of the project. It is estimated work here will take around 16 months to complete, with work due to finish in May 2017. The work will see the road widened to support the buses and the creation of a new signalised junction at Shaw’s Road.
