It strikes north past the docks and to the east of Fortwilliam before turning west on slip roads at Junction 2.

It now runs through the northern suburbs of Belfast past Whitewell and enters the hill section as it climbs at a gradient of up to 1 in 15, one of the steepest in the United Kingdom.

The route begins to the south east of Ballymena at Ballycregy as a continuation of the A26 and heads north under the roundabout at junction 10.

Due to financial restraints, it was decided to prioritise the sections of the road required urgently, with the first stage being started on 2 September 1963.

[1] Petrogas opened a Motorway service area in April 2015 off the northbound carriageway between the Glengormley and Templepatrick junctions.

Branded "Applegreen" the service area contains food franchises including Burger King.