This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Major upgrade for Cumbernauld roads
09/09/2003
A major scheme to replace the A80 Auchenkilns roundabout in Cumbernauld will begin in January 2004.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen confirmed the contract to build the new interchange to the north of the existing Auchenkilns Roundabout has now been awarded to AWG Construction Services Ltd. The full scheme will also require the construction of a new bridge over the A80, the local realignment of the A73 and construction of four new slip roads. The successful bid, in the form of a fixed-price lump sum, amounts to £21.6m.
Mr Stephen said:
"This is a major investment of both local and national interests removing one of the major congestion points in the Central Scotland trunk road network. This will be good for local communities and good for the Scottish economy. The environmental and road safety benefits will be significant.
"Scottish Ministers want to see a major increase in investment in new public transport and vital roads projects. The award of this £22 million contract is a key part of that strategy, with work beginning early next year. Special measures are being taken to minimise delays and work should be completed by summer 2005.
"The Auchenkilns roundabout has experienced major congestion for a long time. Upgrading the existing junction in this way will remove some of the worst congestion on the network and bring major benefits for journey times."
The Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning in March 2002 announced the improvement at Auchenkilns as an early start on the interim findings of the Central Scotland Corridor Studies.
The project involves the reconstruction of the A80 over a length of 1.25km between Low Wood and the Balloch footbridge, realignment of the B8048 and A73 and the construction of a new Overbridge and slip roads to the north of the existing Auchenkilns roundabout which will be removed as part of the works.
The successful bid from AWG Construction Services Ltd was in the sum of £21,545,867.
The works are expected to start on 5 January 2004 with the road being completed in summer 2005. Special measures including night time working will be required to minimise delays due to the very high levels of traffic on the A80.