Postponed Bankfoot bridge work finished ahead of schedule

Stretch of carriageway not closed for as long as anticipated

Crews working on A9 dualling handed motorists some good news this week as they revealed they would not need to close the carriageway for as long as anticipated.

The installation of a bridge over the A9 at Bankfoot was set to force a closure of the busy road for three nights.

The green bridge is designed to allow wildlife from Gelly Woods to safely traverse the bustling roadway.

Engineers will cover the deck of the bridge with greenery, including heather harvested from the local surroundings.

The stretch of carriageway is already currently subject to significant traffic calming measures but Transport Scotland bosses had instructed nocturnal drivers to avoid the road entirely earlier this week, with lengthy detours via Crieff to head northbound and Blairgowrie to head southbound, had been advised.

Overnight closures to allow construction crews to work at the Bankfoot site had been cancelled earlier this month due to inclement weather.

Conditions had made it too dangerous to work at the installation due to the heavy lifting operations’ sensitivity to high winds.

The scheduled works had been cancelled at short notice and had forecast weather for the new dates remained poor, concerned transport bosses feared more closures could have been necessary with just hours’ notice.

However, the work not only proceeded, crews finished the installation ahead of schedule, taking just two days to complete the beam lifts.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Due to the successful completion of the planned beam lift operations on February 18 and 19, Thursday’s A9 full closure between Luncarty and Dunkeld was not required.

“Temporary traffic lights were in place from 8.30pm to 6am on the A9 north of Bankfoot to allow our contractor to complete the works.”

The roadworks are part of the ongoing Perth to Inverness A9 dualling project.

The 9.5km stretch of the A9 is being widened, and new footways and cycleways are being created, along with a new link between Luncarty and Bankfoot, new laybys and improved drainage.

The entire carriageway between Luncarty and Dunkeld is currently subject to 40mph or 30mph speed limits to protect workers.

These restrictions have been in place for 12 months and enforcement of the calming measures will continue until the phase is completed next spring.

Thursday’s A9 full closure between Luncarty and Dunkeld was not required. TRANSPORT SCOTLAND SPOKESPERSON

The green bridge is designed to help wildlife cross the A9.