ANYONE who travels regularly between Derry and Dungiven will have asked the same question at some point in recent months: when will the new road be finished?
The A6 is a key arterial route on the island, linking Belfast with the north west via Toome and Dungiven.
Derry in particular has suffered historically from poor transport links, holding back efforts to attract investment. While some smaller towns have long enjoyed good road links, there has never been a significant stretch of motorway or dual carriageway serving the north's second city.
A major upgrade of the A6 to ease congestion between the end of the M2 and the Castledawson roundabout was thankfully completed last year.
It had been hoped a 25km section of dual carriageway taking traffic around the notorious bottleneck of Dungiven and on to Drumahoe near Derry would also be ready by now.
However, despite appearing close to completion, only some parts of the busy route are operational and are restricted to one lane and speed limits.
The Department for Infrastructure has been unable to give an opening date, saying the Covid pandemic impacted significantly on the scheme and recent volatility in global markets has also affected deliveries.
Although now well advanced, it says a "significant amount of work has still to be completed".
For those relying on the road to travel to travel to work or transport goods there is understandable frustration.
An indicative timetable should now be published and updated regularly so that motorists know where they stand.
More generally, a Stormont government – if or when it returns – must place a renewed focus on other major road schemes still awaiting a start date.
The final section of the A6 between Drumahoe and Derry has yet to be built.
A badly-needed upgrade of A5 Derry to Dublin road, serving the busy towns of Strabane and Omagh, has suffered delay after delay over the last 15 years including a series of legal challenges.
Meanwhile, the planned York Street interchange linking the Westlink, M2 and M3 in Belfast, unblocking the busiest junction in Northern Ireland, has been discussed since 2006 but is still awaiting final decisions and funding.
A strong economy is reliant on strong transport links and if the region is to capitalise on the opportunities opened up by the Northern Ireland Protocol, major infrastructure projects must be prioritised.
