A9 dualling gets back on track as workers return

ROADS: Flagship carriageway upgrade resumes after lockdown setback

Crews working on one of Scotland’s biggest infrastructure projects are back to work after facing a lockdown setback.

The A9 dualling has restarted, with enhanced safety measures in place to protect staff.

In April, teams working on the £3 billion project downed tools when site bosses explained that work could not continue due to lockdown measures and restrictions in place to deal with the pandemic.

But in the latest joint update by Transport Scotland and lead contractors Balfour Beatty, site bosses have confirmed that teams are working at the Luncarty to Birnam stretch again.

In May, Transport Minister Michael Matheson insisted that work would be resumed on the project after fears that economic damage caused by coronavirus could hinder plans.

Bosses say “significant alterations” have been made to site offices and welfare facilities to comply with Scottish Government guidelines on hygiene and physical distancing.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “As the restrictions slowly and gradually begin to ease across Scotland in line with Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, we are all having to adapt our daily routines to a new normal.

“The A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project is no exception.

“Over the past few months the project team has developed and introduced new ways of working to keep our staff, operatives and supply chain safe, whilst also protecting the communities in which we operate.

“Our project offices are quieter now than they were before lockdown as we continue to ask staff to work from home if they are able.

“This creates a safer environment for those whose presence on site is essential to the progress of the project.”

Management have provided additional welfare units on site to offer additional space for staff. Offices and satellite compounds have been reconfigured to include more handwashing facilities and sanitising points as well as physical distancing reminders and, where possible, one-way systems.

Furthermore, bosses have also implemented staggered shift start times to carefully manage the number of people arriving or leaving site at the same time and additional car parking spaces have been created.

“The project team has introduced new ways of working to keep our staff, operatives and supply chain safe. TRANSPORT SCOTLAND SPOKESPERSON

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Works between Luncarty and Birnam were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.