This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Three Towns A78 Bypass
21/11/2002
Four firms have been invited to tender for the £28 million contract to construct the bypass on the A78 around Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.
The 6.4 kilometre bypass will have 5 kilometres of dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction between Pennyburn and Chapelhill, with the remainder being widened single carriageway with a climbing lane.
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"Removing through traffic from Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston will create a better living environment for the local community by improving road safety and helping to reduce future noise and air pollution.
"This is why I am keen for construction on the Three Towns Bypass to begin as soon as possible and inviting selected contractors to bids to construct the scheme is an important stage in this process.
"The bypass has been designed to bring the three communities, currently split by the A78 together again and to improve access between housing areas, schools and town centres. It is expected to offer significant economic benefits to each of the three towns.
"I am sure that the people of North Ayrshire will welcome the progress on this project - this is good news for the business community, for North Ayrshire Council and for individuals who have long supported these proposals."
A second contract will be tendered for the construction of a new bridge to carry the railway over the road at Montfode and simultaneously complete the bypass.
The bypass proposals include new structures to carry Sorbie Road, Greenhead Road and Hayocks Road over the bypass. The bypass will connect to the existing road network with roundabouts at each end - at the existing Pennyburn Roundabout and at Montfode - and at two intermediate roundabouts - at Chapelhill and at Sharphill.
The road between Montfode Roundabout at the northern end of the bypass and Chapelhill Roundabout will be a single carriageway with climbing lane of 10 metres total width plus 1.0 metres hard strips and 2.5 metres width grass verges.
Between Chapelhill Roundabout and Pennyburn Roundabout at the southern end, the road will be dual 7.3 metres width carriageways plus 1.0 metres width hardstrips and 2.5 metres width grass verges and with a 4.5 metres width central reserve.
Construction is likely to start in Summer of 2003 and be completed within two years at an estimated cost of £28 million (inclusive of VAT).
A list of experienced and top quality roadworks contractors has been invited to tender, including Balfour Beatty, Barr Construction, Morrison and Mowlem.
Scottish Ministers approved four other schemes as part of the Strategic Roads Review in November 1999, including the A830 Arisaig-Kinsadel and the A1 Haddington-Dunbar projects which are under construction.
PPP bids have been invited for the M77 Fenwick-Malletsheugh scheme and the A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass will be the subject of a public local inquiry in the New Year.