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A96 upgrade
26/08/2010
Early design work for a major upgrade to one of the north of Scotland's most important roads is under way, it was announced today.
The work will identify the preferred solutions for dualling the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, a new link connecting the A96 to the A9 south of Inverness and an A96 Nairn bypass.
Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson said:
"I'm delighted to announce the go ahead for this work which further underlines our commitment to upgrading the A96.
"The study, which forms part of our commitment through the Strategic Transport Projects Review to upgrade this section of the A96, will identify solutions in taking the schemes forward - schemes which will help improve journey times in and around the east of Inverness and along the whole route, and provide benefits to local communities and businesses by better connecting them to economic centres. The upgrade will also improve access for passengers to Inverness Airport and other future growth areas on the A96 corridor. It is exactly this type of investment in transport infrastructure projects which is protecting economic recovery and building sustainable economic growth.
"The Scottish Government is determined to improve the main route between Aberdeen and Inverness, the two biggest economic centres of the North. This contract underlines our commitment to the communities and businesses this vital link serves."
In taking forward the necessary, detailed preparatory work, the Scottish Government has been working with partners at The Highland Council to ensure proposals support their work on the Highland Wide Development Plan which will see significant growth along the A96 in the coming years.
The £500,000 contract has been awarded to Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd, and findings from this work are expected in Spring 2011.
The Scottish Government is currently delivering further improvements on the A96 - with construction on the £31.5 million Fochabers-Mosstodloch bypass under way, and a package of improvements which will ease congestion around Elgin.
The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), sets out the future investment programme for transport in Scotland over the next 20 years. 29 major transport investment priorities across Scotland have been identified as supporting the future growth of Scotland's businesses and communities.
This study will directly support Interventions 18 and 22 of the STPR for the A96 corridor, which includes reducing the severity of accidents, improving connectivity between Inverness and communities to the east, and enhancing the flow of strategic and local traffic.
Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government's national transport agency responsible for rail and trunk road networks; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; impartial travel services; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; liaising with regional transport partnerships including monitoring of funding; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; local roads policy; aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; ferries, ports and harbours, and the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers.