Motorway Database

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Location mapThe M12 was to be an urban motorway serving the new town of Craigavon, burrowing into the town and forming a C-shape, beginning on the M1. This part of it was built along with the M1, and nothing was ever done to finish it. The whole of Craigavon is basically half-built.

The M12 has a questionable start. Motorway restrictions begin halfway underneath junction 2, where the road widens out to dual carriageway. Technically non-motorway traffic can use the road until this point, from which there is no exit.

Junction 1 was originally envisaged to be a three-level interchange. In the 1960s it was opened with east-facing slips only, and a bridge was built over the M1 ready for its completion. In 1992, the junction was finished, but without actually bothering to build a third bridge to complete the interchange - instead using a flat roundabout to connect the three arms. It does look ridiculous, but it's functionally no different from a roundabout interchange - these kick off a number of mainland motorways like the M50 and M180.

Those used to driving on the mainland will probably look twice when they see that junction two connects with the B2.

Factfile

Start North Craigavon (M1)
Finish Craigavon (A3)
Passes None
Length 1 mile
Terminates None
Spurs None
Meets None

Images

Views of the M12 from on and off the road. If you have a photo to contribute, contact me.

There are currently no images in this section.

Construction Timeline

When the various parts of the M12 were built, listed in chronological order.

Open Section
1970 Entire motorway

Exit List

All the junctions and destinations along the route.

Junction   Southbound               Northbound
1 Dungannon
Cookstown
M1 Image




M1
NORTH
Roundabout Interchange
 



M1
N/A






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Belfast
Lisburn
M1 Image
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1 mile, 2 lanes Image Image 1 mile, 2 lanes
2 N/A







ImageImageImageImage
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B2







Roundabout Interchange
(A3)
SOUTH
B2







Craigavon
Portadown
(A3)

Craigavon (N)
B2

Portadown (N)
B2
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With thanks to Wesley Johnston for information on this page.