A82 Pulpit Rock construction continues

The latest piling works have revealed the extent of the engineering challenge this scheme has presented with ground conditions proving to be more onerous than anticipated. To allow this critical operation to be completed, and having consulted with the emergency services and Argyll & Bute Council, Transport Scotland has agreed to allow the Contractor to extend the overnight road closure period by five nights to 16th November. The road will reopen each day at 6am and close at 10pm each night during the works.

Dominic Murphy, Transport Scotland project manager said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local communities and road users for their continued patience so far. It is unfortunate that we have had to extend this set of overnight closures, but in doing so this will enable the Contractor to undertake some of the most critical work prior to constructing the main road deck section of the new viaduct in 2014. Recent difficulties with the ground conditions reinforce the unique topographical and geological challenges faced at this location.

“However, we have been working closely with the contractor to develop and implement an innovative approach to the construction that allows us to keep the road open each day while the works are underway. We will continue to work with the Contractor to minimise disruption as far as possible in delivering these improvements.”

The closures will be put in place for the safety of road users and road workers, the A82 will be closed at Pulpit Rock, south of Ardlui, between 10pm and 6am each night. The A82 will remain open on either side of the closure. Diversion routes for through traffic are:

  • northbound via the A83 at Tarbet, A819 and A85
  • southbound via the A85 at Tyndrum, A819 and A83.

Contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey, will carry out piling works along and within the existing road that are required to support the main structure. Earthworks which will enable the sharp bend in the existing road to be smoothed out will also continue.

Drivers are advised to check www.trafficscotland.org for further information about these works and for real-time journey planning advice.

Notes to editors

For more information - http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/A82-Improvements/A82-Pulpit-Rock

  1. Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national transport agency responsible for; aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
  2. Information including dates for future overnight closures and the full closure will begin to be publicised in advance as far as possible, using the Transport Scotland website, Traffic Scotland, variable message signs and newspaper adverts.
  3. The proposed dates for future night time closures remain as:
  • A full closure of less than 1 week in January 2014
  • Less than 1 week in March 2014
  • 1 week in April 2014 & 1 week in May 2014

4. The £9.2m construction contract was awarded to McLaughlin & Harvey in February 2013 and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2014.

Published 24 Oct 2013