WORK on a £700,000 road widening scheme in Enniskillen is progressing towards “substantial completion” by the end of June, the Department for Infrastructure announced this week.
The Transport NI scheme, which aims to reduce traffic delays and congestion through Enniskillen, involves the widening of Dublin Road to four traffic lanes from the fire station, through the traffic signals to the entrance of the Model Primary School, and four lane provision along Wickham Link.
It was one of three larger-scale road improvements identified by the Department after a review of the A4 corridor through Enniskillen was undertaken in 2009.
This review was carried out as many of the junctions and sections of the A4 Wellington Road in Enniskillen were operating at maximum capacity, with traffic congestion being experienced at peak times.
Following the review, a strategy for improvement was developed which listed 31 projects, all of which have now been completed - with the exception of the three larger-scale improvements.
With work almost completed on the first of these major schemes, the Department has said it will continue to seek funding for the remaining two - the widening of the A4 Wellington Road at Inis Cethlenn Bridge and work at Gaol Square.
The latter project will involve the provision of two right turn lanes eastwards into Dublin Road from Frith’s Pass.
In correspondence with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council at the start of last month, Transport NI’s divisional manager Conor Loughrey said funding for schemes such as those planned for Enniskillen was allocated based on a “province-wide prioritisation”.
He stated: “While we have successfully obtained funding to allow us to deliver the scheme at Dublin Road/ Wickham Link we will, at a Divisional level, continue to seek funding for these further projects at every possible opportunity.”
In the letter, Mr. Loughrey also admitted that, with traffic volumes continuing to increase, the road network in Enniskillen was still operating at, or close to, maximum capacity, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
He stated: “As with many towns in the west of the Province and, as members have noted, the traffic volumes on a Friday afternoon are higher than any other day of the week and on the A4 Wellington Road, Friday traffic  volumes are up to 200 vehicles per hour above the daily average.
“This significant increase results in the A4 network through the town operating at capacity during a much longer afternoon peak period on Fridays.”