The route for a new £52 million dual carriageway between Ballymena and Ballymoney was announced today.
The existing Co Antrim road will be upgraded, Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy added.
More than 18,000 vehicles travel on the A26 each day.
Mr Murphy said: "The A26 Frosses Road dualling between Glarryford and the A44 Drones Road junction will improve road safety and reduce journey times, benefiting both the travelling public and the business community.
"The improvement will also enhance tourist links for this area."
Experts considered five potential options for the route, a key part of the road connecting Belfast to Derry via Coleraine.
The minister's scrutiny committee at Stormont heard evidence on the proposals earlier this year.
A spokesman for the Roads Service said officials would continue to develop the design ahead of environmental, planning and land acquisition procedures.
Affected land owners and other interested parties will continue to be individually consulted.
Ian Paisley and other local DUP Assembly members welcomed the announcement.
"This important road serves the entire northern end of the country and is a vital economic and trading corridor," they said.
PA