A9 dualling Luncarty to Birnam - traffic restrictions and overnight closures

Transport Scotland is urging road users to allow extra time for their journey as major construction works to dual the A9 from Luncarty north of Perth to Pass of Birnam are scheduled to begin from Monday, 4th February 2019.

To allow the start of the main construction works to dual the 9.5km of the A9 between Luncarty and Birnam, major traffic management is now required.

Long-term traffic management restrictions

These restrictions will begin with the gradual installation of traffic management to narrow the running lanes, followed by the introduction of temporary safety cameras to enforce a reduced speed limit of 40mph through the works area. This traffic management will remain in place until completion of the project in Spring 2021.

Traffic management installation

This work will take place overnight from 7:30pm to 6:30am from Monday 4th February for approximately 2 weeks, following which temporary safety barriers will be installed along the carriageway.

Overnight road closures

These barrier works have been scheduled to take place overnight under a full road closure between Luncarty and Dunkeld, from 8:30pm to 6:00am for four nights, from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th February 2019. 

The barriers will allow construction of the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project to be undertaken safely adjacent to the A9, whilst maintaining one lane of traffic in each direction.

Signed diversion routes will be in place on approach to the closure area, via the A85 for northbound traffic and via the A923 Dunkeld junction for southbound traffic (see diversion route graphic, above).

Access to the communities of Luncarty, Bankfoot and Stanley will be maintained via the local road network for the duration of the four overnight closures.

Transport Scotland recognises that the A9 provides a vital link to and from Scotland’s Highlands and it is important to minimise disruption where possible.

Improve road safety

Gemma Montrose, Project Manager for Transport Scotland, said: “These traffic restrictions are a tried and tested approach that improve safety for road users and construction workers during what will be an extremely busy construction period.

“Our contractor anticipates approximately four minutes delay through the 40mph traffic management area and we’ll be working closely with Balfour Beatty to ensure disruption to road users and the local community is monitored throughout the works and is kept to a minimum during the construction phase.

“Road safety is our first priority and we would like to take this opportunity to thank road users for their patience while we deliver these significant improvements works to dual the A9.”

Inspector Davie Hynd of Police Scotland, said:

“The reduced speed limit is necessary to ensure that drivers are able to cope safely with the inevitable effects of the road works such as narrowed lanes, contra-flows and construction traffic. We would encourage road users to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel through the works area.”

Road users are advised to approach the new traffic management layouts with care, plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey.

Upon completion of the A9 Luncarty to Pass of Birnam, road users will benefit from 15km of continuous dualled carriageway from Inveralmond roundabout in Perth to Pass of Birnam.

This project will support employment and supplier opportunities.