Council leader officially opens £35m link road

THE long-awaited A9/A85 link road has been officially opened after more than two years of work on the vital Perth junction.

Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, officially opened the city’s “biggest ever” road construction project, although it has been open to traffic since January 3.

The £35 million project has opened up access to the Inveralmond Industrial Estate and created new links to the residential and commercial development under way at Bertha Park and the planned Almond Valley.

The road is the first phase of the Perth Transport Futures Project, and construction of the scheme started in October 2016. The building work provided about 100 jobs.

Councillor Murray Lyle said: “I am pleased to officially open the A9/ A85 scheme to mark the completion of phase one of the Perth Transport Futures Project.

“This project is the biggest roads’ construction project the council has ever undertaken and already we are seeing the significant benefits.

“Traffic connections to Inveralmond Industrial Estate have been greatly improved. In particular the pressure at the Inveralmond roundabout has been significantly reduced.

“Another highlight this scheme has provided is new routes for pedestrians and cyclists as well as improved existing routes. In particular the paths have opened up routes along Perth Lade.”

Balfour Beatty has been the council’s construction partner. Hector MacAulay, managing director of the firm’s regional Scotland and Ireland businesses, said: “It is fantastic to be marking the completion and opening of this major new infrastructure project.

“Delivered within budget and ahead of programme, the A9/A85 link road will significantly ease traffic to the west of the city and enhance accessibility to new development land.

“I am particularly pleased to recognise the significant and sustainable contribution we have made to the local community and economy with more than £9 million spent with local businesses as well as the creation of numerous local employment opportunities.”

Local business owner David Lindsay said: “Since the new road network opened, our lives in the Inveralmond area have improved so much.”

The opening of the link road.