A6 Toome Bypass - Key Dates
1960s
M22 motorway to extend to Castledawson. Motorway would have skirted around the north of Toome, crossing over the river immediately north of the eel fishery.
1970s
Motorway proposal scaled down to a dual carriageway trunk road starting from the end of the M22 motorway at Randalstown and continuing as on-line dualling - a new carriageway constructed alongside the existing - to the eastern outskirts of Toome, crossing over the river immediately north of the eel fishery and continuing to Castledawson.
1980s
Toome Bypass included in the Antrim Area Plan 1984-2001, the bypass would have started east of the village at Drumderg, skirted around the north-east of the village to connect to the eastern end of the existing bridge over the river.
1998
Chancellor of the Exchequer announces a province wide package of infrastructure improvements which includes Toome Bypass.
1999
One-way traffic management system installed to relieve traffic congestion in the village.
2000
Planning and environmental assessment of the bypass completed - dual carriageway option adopted, skirting around the north of the village and crossing over the river some 500 metres north of the existing bridge.
2001
Compulsory purchase of lands required to construct the bypass.
May 2002
Contractor appointed and construction work starts.
March 2004
Bypass complete and open to traffic.
