Debate over an upgrade to the A5 has been a long-running saga; encompassing road safety, economics, government funding, as well as agricultural and environmental concerns.

Recently, BBC News NI's Mid Ulster reporter Niall McCracken examined some of these issues, travelling the road to visit and speak to people with an interest in the A5.

His reporting, which you can read here, is a handy primer to the road, the communities that it passes through, and people's hopes and fears for the planned upgrade.

2007: NI Executive accepts A5 proposals

2009: Public consultation identifies preferred route

2011: Public inquiry held between May and July

2012: Scheme given the go-ahead, despite more than 2,000 objections. Legal challenge by campaign group Alternative A5 Alliance holds up construction work

2013: High Court judge quashed decision to go ahead with A5

2013-2015: Department carries out further assessments to understand potential impacts of the proposed scheme on natural habitats and conservation areas

2016: Following updates and consultation, a second public inquiry into the scheme launched

2017: Public Inquiry concludes that the scheme could proceed

2018: A second legal challenge results in plans being quashed again

2020: A third public inquiry but was later adjourned

2023: Public inquiry re-convenes in May with report given to department in October

The proposed dual carriageway has faced opposition since it was first announced.

It has been criticised by the campaign group, the Alternative A5 Alliance (AA5A).

Comprised of farmers, landowners and others with an interest in the County Tyrone area, the group was launched in 2009 to oppose the compulsory purchase of land to construct the road.

It has also raised environmental issues around the project.

The group argued that safety improvements can be made to the current road, such as widening sections to allow for safer overtaking.

And it raised a number of planning objections and legal challenges over the years.

A legal challenge in 2018 from campaign group the Alternative A5 Alliance resulted in the Department for Infrastructure quashing plans to proceed at that time.

The total cost of the road upgrade is estimated to be £1.7bn with €600m (£500m) of this coming from the Irish government.

The Irish government announced this as part of new funding worth €800m (£685m) for cross-border projects earlier this year.

The then taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the A5 works would "bring connectivity between north and south in line with the rest of the island".

Image source, PA Media

The A5 is a vital artery of the Northern Ireland road network. More than 58 miles (94km) long, it has more than 200 side roads connecting to it.

The road is single carriageway for most of its length, with overtaking lanes in some sections.

It links Londonderry with Aughnacloy in County Tyrone and passes through towns like Sion Mills, Strabane and Omagh.

At Ballygawley the A5 connects with the A4 road, linking to Belfast via the M1.

It also makes up part of the main route between County Donegal and Dublin.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Stormont's approval of the long-awaited A5 road project.

We will bring you the latest as an official announcement from the Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd is expected shortly after a meeting of the Executive.