Good news for A82 as two improvements progress
Two much needed A82 upgrades moved a step closer this week as Transport Scotland announced details of the latest contract developments.
The national transport agency has published its shortlist for the £5.5 million Crianlarich Bypass construction contract and at the same time announced the intention to award a £2 million design contract for the 16 km Tarbet to Inverarnan scheme.
Balfour Beatty, John Paul Construction, RJ McLeod, I&H Brown and Graham Construction are being invited to bid for the Crianlarich Bypass contract, with work expected to start this summer.
In addition, a Halcrow Fairhurst Joint Venture are to start the Tarbet to Inverarnan design work later this month.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
“This Government is firmly committed to upgrading the A82, as seen by our recent announcement on the Pulpit Rock works starting later this month.
“Our recognition of the A82 as a vital economic and social lifeline, means, through local consultation, we have developed a programme of road closures that will have less impact on road users, local residents, businesses and visitors. .
“Connecting businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands with the central belt is vital to the area’s future prosperity. That is why we are now taking forward our plans to build a bypass at Crianlarich with five companies invited to bid for this work.
“This investment will benefit local residents with less noise and congestion in the village, whilst road users can avoid the current delays experienced at the junction where the A82 meets the A85.
“We are also planning for the future upgrade of the 16 km section between Tarbet and Inverarnan. The design and survey work which is shortly to get underway will help identify a preferred alignment for the future upgrade of the route which contains some of the most striking scenery in Scotland, framed by the rugged hillsides and western shore of Loch Lomond.
“The area presents many engineering challenges and the alignment will be designed to fit with the landscape and environment and help to maintain the renowned beauty of the National Park.
“The work we are doing along this vital route will lead to improved road safety and journey time reliability and meet the needs of business, communities and visitors alike.”
The Crianlarich Bypass is expected to get underway in summer 2013, with construction lasting approximately 12 months.
The Tarbet to Inverarnan design work is expected to take two years.
- The A82 is a strategic road in the west and north west of Scotland which extends from Glasgow to Inverness. The road provides a link between Glasgow, Inverness and Fort William and the ferry ports and rural communities on the west coast.
- The Crianlarich Bypass Project involves approx 1.3km of new road which will be a single two-lane carriageway from the south of Crianlarich to the north of the village.
- This new stretch will remove the need for A82 road users to have to travel through the village and the constraints in doing so, such as delays at the junction where the A82 meets the A85. Also, bypassing the village should improve the quality of life for local residents by reducing the level of traffic, noise levels and congestion.
- The height restriction caused by the low railway bridge will also be removed.
- Once completed the existing A82 will be de-trunked at this stretch of the road and will become a local road.
- The £2 million design and survey work on the 16 km section of the A82 from Tarbet to Inverarnan is due to begin shortly and is likely to take around two years to complete. This work will consider issues such as the impact of widening the road, opportunities to improve visibility, reduce the levels of accidents and improve drainage. Improving pedestrian and cycle access, car parking and lay-by provision will also considered, as well as delivering journey time reliability.