Work on dualling A9 starts again
Drivers are being advised to take extra care on the A9 as work to dualthetrunk roadnorth ofPerthhasnow resumed following months of inactivity.
Traffic-signal controlledplant crossings were put back along the Luncarty to Pass ofBirnamstretch this week so constructioncrewscouldstart shifting equipment, earth and materials around the site again.
The first section of the new carriageway was opened to traffic in mid-February and maincontractors Balfour Beatty are now focused on finishing a second section and realigning several junctions along the route.
Itis understood further temporary trafficsignals will need to beinstalled along the road over the coming months so crewscansafely remove parapet formwork fromnew bridgescrossing the carriageway.
A temporarymini-roundabout formedsouth ofBankfoot before the lockdown is also being keptinplace for thetime being.
AlanBrisbaneofBalfour Beatty commented:“We’re delighted to be returning to site alongsideTransport Scotland and have developed robust procedures toensureour site offices, welfare facilities and methods of working throughoutthe site adhere to the Scottish Government’s latest guidelines on physical distancing and hygiene.
“We are committed toensuring a safe working environment aligned toa‘new normal’way of working forour site team and members of the public– this will involve ongoing liaison with industrybodies, our colleagues and sub-contractors toensure best practice across all site-based activities.”
Gemma MontroseofTransport Scotland said:“While we will endeavour toassess theimpactof the COVID-19 pandemic on the project with our contractor, our primaryfocus remains the health and safety of our workforce and theeffective implementation of newoperating procedures in line with the government’s guidelinesforthe construction industry.
“These new measures are as much aboutthe protection of the communities in which we are operating as they are aboutthe protection of our workforce, and I wouldurge everyone toadhere to the physical distancing guidelines to allow us to progress the projectassafely and efficiently as possible.”