To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) current road schemes; and (ii) future road schemes.

Current major road schemes include the recently completed A31 Maghjerafelt Bypass, which I was delighted to open on the 6 October, and the A26 Glarryford to A44 Dualling which is on schedule to open by next summer.

In addition the Executive, in the December 2015 Budget Statement, has committed almost £490m between 2016 and 2021 to the two Flagship road projects, the A5 and A6. This aligns with one of my key priorities as Infrastructure Minister, to redress the north’s infrastructure deficit, particularly west of the Bann.

Subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures, construction of a first phase of the A5 Western Transport Corridor, the Newbuildings to north of Strabane section, could commence in 2017.

My Department is currently progressing two projects on the A6 route to improve road links between our two principal cities of Derry and Belfast. I am hopeful that construction of the first of these, the £160m A6 Randalstown to Castledawson scheme, will commence in the near future. Work is also underway to determine the extent of the Derry to Dungiven scheme that can be delivered with the indicative funding allocations contained in the December 2015 Budget Statement, with priority being given to commencing construction with a bypass of Dungiven and progressing westwards towards Drumahoe.

The York Street Interchange Scheme remains one of my priorities given its location at the junction of our busiest roads, the M1/Westlink, M2 and M3. As I am sure you are aware, this scheme had been highly likely to be eligible for a significant EU funding contribution towards construction. I had intended to award the contract for the design phase of this scheme by October 2016. However as result of the funding uncertainty created by the EU referendum result, the procurement period has been extended to allow further consideration of funding availability for this project, along with other capital schemes, as part of the 2016 Budget process.

In addition, my Programme for Government Delivery Plan sets out a range of integrated interventions designed to improve transport connections for people, goods and services. The Delivery Plan includes a number of priority road schemes that will be taken forward subject to budget availability.