More A9 misery in Ross-shire for drivers
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ROSS-SHIRE motorists bracing themselves for traffic gridlock with week-long restrictions on the Kessock Bridge this month are to be hit by jams at another stretch of the A9.
Transport Scotland has announced that a seven-week programme of work is to start on the Cromarty Bridge on Monday, June 27 – the day after week-long work is scheduled to end on the Kessock Bridge.
And the roads agency has also announced one lane of the A9 will be closed just south of Struie (Skiach) Junction for four days from Tuesday for roadworks.
The seven-week Cromarty Bridge project is the remaining element of the first phase £750,000 of investigation and refurbishment work.
It work involves the installation of electronic anti-corrosion equipment for the long term protection of the structure.
The majority of the work will take place underneath the structure but there will be short term, off-peak (0900 to 1630) traffic management in place in the form of a single lane closure at the beginning and end of the contract.
Transport Scotland says it is also possible that there will be a small number of short off-peak lane closures during the construction period to allow key elements of the work to take place.
With several major events scheduled in the area, a spokesman said every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the public and stressed there will be no traffic management in place during the JLS Concert, the Scottish Golf Open or the Black Isle Show.
In order to maintain safety for both the public and workers, access along the footpath will be available with an escort. Signs will be erected giving advanced warning of the work and guidance to both vehicles and pedestrians
The work on the bridge including traffic management will be carried out by Freyssinet Limited with Scotland Transerv acting as the client’s representative on site.
He added: "Motorists should allow extra time for their journeys and pay attention to any advisory signs which will be in place throughout the works. For real time journey planning information visit www.trafficscotland.org"
At the Struie junction, there will be single lane closure with a convoy for four days to allow a 450m of carriageway resurfacing works costing £34,000.
The spokesman said traffic management will be closely monitored, particularly during the evening peak traffic flows. Emergency services will have unrestricted access at all times.
He added: "Every attempt will be made to ensure that access arrangements to business premises and residential properties are, maintained throughout the construction period."
