A29 road (Northern Ireland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | |
| Length | 90.5 mi (145.6 km) |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | Portrush |
| South end | The border between Silverbridge and Dundalk |
| Highway system | |
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The A29 is an important road in Northern Ireland. It's mostly a single road, meaning it has one lane going each way. This road connects many main towns and links up with other big roads. It helps people travel across Northern Ireland, from the north coast all the way down towards the border with the Republic of Ireland.
Contents
Exploring the A29 Road
The A29 road starts in the lively town of Portrush. From there, it heads south for a few miles. It then becomes the ring road around Coleraine, helping traffic go around the town.
Journey Through Towns
Near Coleraine, the A29 shares a short part of its route with the A37. This section is a dual carriageway, meaning it has two lanes going in each direction. This helps traffic move more smoothly.
At a roundabout built in 2005, just outside Macosquin, the A37 turns west. The A29 continues south towards Garvagh.
After Garvagh, the road passes through several towns. These include Swatragh, Maghera, Tobermore, Desertmartin, and Moneymore.
Connecting Major Routes
The A29 becomes a dual carriageway again as it approaches Cookstown. It then goes through Cookstown and continues as a single road to Dungannon. In Dungannon, the A29 connects with the A4 and the M1.
The road then keeps going south towards Armagh. On this part of the journey, it passes through the villages of Moy and Charlemont.
Towards the Border
After Armagh, the A29 continues south towards Dundalk. It goes through Keady and Newtownhamilton. Finally, the road crosses the border into County Louth in the Republic of Ireland. Here, it changes its name to the R177 and ends in Dundalk.
Fun Places to Visit Along the A29
There are many interesting places to see near the A29 road. Here are a few:
- Portrush: A popular seaside town. The famous Giant's Causeway is also nearby.
- Coleraine: A large town with lots to explore.
- The North West 200: This is a famous motorcycle race held near Coleraine. Part of the A29 road is used for the race circuit!
- Garvagh Museum: Learn about the local history and culture.
- The Linen Green: A shopping village near Dungannon.
- Armagh Planetarium: Discover the wonders of space and the stars.
Keeping the Road Smooth
Over the years, many improvements have been made to the A29. For example, a new roundabout was built near Macosquin. This helps to reduce traffic delays. Also, some bumpy parts of the road between Maghera and Moneymore have been made smoother.
Road Markings and Traffic
To help drivers see at night, special markers called Cat's Eyes are used. However, sometimes they can be hard to spot. The white lines on the side of the road in the countryside can also be a bit faded.
Cookstown is a busy town, and traffic can get very slow there during the day. This can cause delays for drivers.
Bypasses and Improvements
Near Dungannon, the village of Carland used to have a very sharp bend. This bend was difficult for cars to pass each other. It often caused traffic jams. In 2009, work began on a bypass around Carland. This new section of road is about 1.2 miles long and helps traffic flow much better.
When entering Dungannon, the Thomas Street/Hospital Roundabout can also get busy. This happens especially during peak times when many people are traveling.
