Belfast Grand Central Station, Northern Ireland’s flagship infrastructure project, continues to progress at pace and is set to open to the public this autumn. The internal fit out is well underway, alongside work to the bus stands, rail platforms, track and signalling infrastructure.
Over the coming months, activity will intensify with the commencement of major public realm work around the station with road enhancements to maintain pedestrian safety, and enhance routes for walking, accessibility and cycling. In addition, there will be a programme of roadworks to facilitate necessary utilities for the modern world-class facility. These works will disrupt the road network around the new station.
During this period of significant transition during the construction of Belfast Grand Central Station, public transport and road users are advised to plan their journeys in advance to incorporate guidance around the ongoing engineering works. Some delays should be expected, and road users are being encouraged to switch to alternative modes of travel or choose different routes where possible.
The work involved in this stage of the project will require road and lane closures, impacting traffic within the city centre and alterations to some bus and rail services. Where there is disruption to rail passengers, bus substitution services will be operational. Station construction is due to be completed and open to the public in autumn 2024.
The latest information on Belfast Grand Central Station can be found on the Translink website.
Use Translink's Journey Planner or Traffic Watch NI for information specific to your intended route.
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Key Dates:
Train lines
Saturday, May 11th - Great Victoria Street Station Closure
Great Victoria Street Train Station will be closed permanently from Saturday 11th May. The last day of passenger services will be Friday 10th May. The rail line will remain open throughout Belfast but no longer serving Great Victoria Street Station. Passengers will still be able to access the city from York Street, Lanyon Place, Botanic or City Hospital Stations and walk or cycle to their destination. A bus substitution service will also be in place between Lanyon Place and Great Victoria Street Stations or passengers can use scheduled Metro services. Enhanced Park and Ride Services will be introduced from Ballymartin, Sprucefield, Cairnhill and Blacks Road from 13th May.
July/August 2024
There are plans for the rail line to close between Belfast Lanyon Place and Lisburn during July and August. All other rail lines will remain open from Belfast Lanyon Place / York Street Station to Derry~Londonderry, Larne and Bangor and the southern corridor will operate from Lisburn southwards. Cross Border Services will operate from Portadown with coach transfers from Belfast to Newry to connect with the Enterprise Train.
Revised Metro, Ulsterbus timetables and bus substitution services will be in place ensuring transport links remain. Belfast Grand Central Station opens in the autumn bringing increased rail capacity and enhancing local and international connectivity across Northern Ireland and beyond. The Enterprise service will relocate to operate from the new station.
The Europa Buscentre will remain open as normal until Belfast Grand Central Station is operational.
New Bus Lanes (June / July 2024)
- There will be 12-hour outbound bus lanes on Howard Street, Great Victoria Street, Bruce Street and Dublin Road.
- Subject to final feasibility designs, there will be an extension of the inbound bus lane on Lisburn Road (operating 7.30am to 9.30am Monday - Friday).
- There will be the introduction of a 12-hour bus lane on North Street, an extended bus stop with new passenger waiting facilities and the displacement of on-street parking.
- Additional bus stops on Donegall Place, Linenhall Street and Bedford Street.
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Refer to Grand Central Station FAQs for answers to the most common questions about the project.
Translink will also be regularly updating their Information on Line Improvements.
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys using the Journey Planner on Translink's website, follow Translink on social media and leave extra time for their journeys.
