10 weeks of partial A9 night-time closures set to begin soon between Kessock Bridge and North Kessock turn-off
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE A9 dual carriageway will be partially closed north of the Kessock Bridge next week while ongoing works to improve cycle and pedestrian paths are carried out.
The northbound carriageway between the bridge and North Kessock turn-off will be reduced to one lane each night from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7pm and 6am.
This will enable "advance" works to be carried out as part of the next phase of active travel and road safety improvements on the stretch of road. The phase will then begin in earnest from July 24, with 10 weeks of similar restrictions in place while the project is completed – although there will be no closures of lanes on Friday or Saturday nights.
The first phase, completed earlier this month, which saw the central reserve crossing points upgraded.
The new works will see the existing shared-use cycleway and footpath, which is part of National Cycle Route 1, widened and its surface improved.
The lane closures are intended to keep the contractors safe while they are carrying out the works.
All works are scheduled to be complete by 1 October, weather permitting.
Ian Stewart, Bear Scotland’s north-west representative, said: “These works are part an ongoing commitment to improve safety for all road users on the A9 and will see improvements to the existing links for pedestrians and cyclists in the area, helping to promote active travel.
“The traffic management is essential to keep roadworkers and road users safe during this project as our teams will be working in the northbound verge, however we will do all we can to complete the project as quickly and as safely as possible.
“We encourage road users to plan their journey in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date traffic information and allow some extra time to reach their destination.”
To ensure the safety of roadworkers and road users, a single left lane closure will be in place on the A9 northbound carriageway each night (Sunday-Thursday). The existing National Cycle Route 1 path adjacent to the A9 northbound will be closed for the duration of the project whilst the main works take place.
Cyclists and pedestrians who use the path will instead be diverted to use the alternative National Cycle Route 1 path through North Kessock. The newly-upgraded pedestrian and cycle crossing points will be open throughout the works.
To allow resurfacing to take place, off peak, there will be daytime northbound lane closures from 9am to 3.30pm for one week at the very end of the project. Dates will be confirmed closer to the time.
Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.traffic.gov.scot or twitter @trafficscotland.
