A75 Dunragit Bypass opens to traffic

Monday, March 31st represents a significant milestone for the £17.1 million A75 Dunragit Bypass when the new bypass opens to road users.

The early switching of traffic will allow road users to use the new 5.3 km Dunragit bypass. This will remove strategic traffic from Dunragit village and help them to avoid the height restrictions at the Challoch railway bridge.

In order to complete works on the new bypass, some traffic management measures including temporary traffic signals will initially be present. These traffic management measures are expected to be removed towards the end of April, whereupon the new Bypass will be fully open providing guaranteed overtaking opportunities in both the east and westbound directions, with shared facilities for cyclists and pedestrians in places.

Transport Scotland's Project Manager for the scheme, John Quail said:

“This early switch of traffic onto the new Bypass will bring immediate benefits by taking trunk road traffic away from the Village and the Challoch rail overbridge thereby reducing the likelihood of bridge strikes, which cause lengthy diversions and delays to journey times.

“On completion and when fully open, the new Bypass will improve journey time reliability, reduce driver frustration and vehicle platoons, as well as, deliver value for money. The new Bypass is essential to providing economic prosperity for businesses, the leisure and tourism industries, and communities along the length of this vital road and for Scotland as a whole by improving connectivity through the south of Scotland.”

For the safety of road workers, the speed limit will be 40mph throughout the works.

The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2014.