The settlement of Toome has grown up at a point where the main route from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry crossed the Lower River Bann at the northern end of Lough Neagh. As the twenty-first century begins, the bridge at Toome is carrynig a flow of 19,000 vehicles per day, causing traffic congestion at peak periods in Toome. With traffic levels growing and plans to expand local industry, traffic flows are expected to increase to around 30,000 vehicles per day by 2017. This would increase congestion and the quality of life in Toome would continue to deteriorate.