M2 fully reopens after major crash causes hours of delays in Belfast city centre

Belfast Telegraph

a day ago

The collision happened on the motorway leaving Belfast just after York Street shortly after 11am this morning.
Traffic was moving through a single left-hand lane by 3.30pm, an hour after the road was completely closed for a second time, to allow for an investigation at the scene of the collision and clean-up.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and PSNI confirmed three lanes had reopened at 4pm, while the remaining two lanes had also reopened to traffic by 4.30pm.
A DfI spokesperson added that there were 'still some knock-on delays within the city centre diversion route for the M3 bridge closure as traffic queues clear.'
It comes on a weekend when work on the M3 Bridge is set to cause disruption for motorists.
Meanwhile, a male pedestrian died after a hit and run in a separate incident in Ballyclare on Friday evening.
In further travel disruption, there has been disruption to the Belfast to Bangor train line this morning. At least one service has been cancelled.
Translink had said a number of services between Belfast and Bangor would be affected due to a broken-down train. It later said some services had been reinstated.
It came as an SDLP councillor warned the M3 bridge works could lead to a 'full weekend of disruption' and called for last minute measures to alleviate the issue.
North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte said he fears the second phase of a £400k maintenance project on the M3 bridge could lead to 'lengthy delays'.
The closure will be in force on the westbound carriageway of the bridge from 9pm on Friday August 15 until 6am on Monday August 18.'
Why is the M3 closed this weekend ?
As a result, the M3 itself will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass. Traffic will be required to leave at Bridge End Flyover.
No access to the M3 will be available from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period, with diversions in place.
A similar closure at the start of the month caused traffic chaos across the entire weekend in Belfast, with long queues forming at pinch points across the city.
On top of the work taking place, there is expected to be further congestion in the city with several road closures to accommodate the multi-cultural Mela carnival.
Mr Whyte said: 'This will lead to lengthy delays for motorists in what is set to be a busy weekend in the city, with a series of large events taking place and people enjoying the good weather.
'There were scenes of absolute chaos in our city two weekends ago due to a similar closure, but it once again appears that the Infrastructure Minister and her department have failed to learn any lessons about the impact of these closures and the knock-on impact this work will have.
'While this work does need carried out, there is no extra public transport services to alleviate congestion, no contraflow system in operation and no clear plan from DfI or the police, about how they plan to manage the inevitable gridlock in east and north Belfast.
'With over 90,000 vehicles using this route daily and major events taking place in the city this weekend, the Minister and department must explain why they continue to fail to learn the lessons from past traffic gridlock.'
The Department for infrastructure have urged motorists to plan their journey in advance this weekend.
'During this time [Friday to Monday] the M3 will be closed from Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic required to leave at Bridge End Flyover,' a DfI spokesperson said.
'If you are travelling to Belfast International Airport or north or west please ask yourself do you need to drive across Belfast or can you take another route such as via the A55 outer Ring.
'If you are travelling into the city to enjoy some shopping or leisure , or if you are attending an event at Custom House Square or Belfast Mela, remember to factor the bridge closure into your travel plans.
"Allow extra time, look at the alternative routes or consider using public transport if you can. You can plan your public transport journey at www.translink.co.uk/journeyplanner.
'The Department would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge safety works are completed.'