Green Light for £31.5 million A96 Road Scheme

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today announced a multimillion pound boost for road users of the A96 with the appointment of a contractor for the Fochabers to Mosstodloch scheme.

Transport Scotland will be awarding the £31.5 million contract to Morrison Construction to build a new 5km stretch of all-purpose single carriageway on the main road between Aberdeen and Inverness.

This project, combined with a raft of other work on the A96, reinforces the Scottish Government's commitment to the route.

Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson said:

"The award of the A96 Fochabers to Mosstodloch contract is yet another example of our continuing investment in Scotland's transport infrastructure and is helping the hard pressed construction sector through challenging economic times.

"The A96 is an essential route in Scotland's trunk road network and this stretch of new road will improve links for communities locally and between Inverness and Aberdeen, bringing economic benefits across the north.

"I'm delighted to announce the contract award which will soon be moving to construction. Our commitment to improved links across Scotland is clear and the undoubted benefits to be reaped will be felt across the north by communities and businesses alike."

Work also continues with partners on other proposals for the A96. The Minister added:

"The Scottish Government is determined to improve links along the length of the A96. We are currently working with Highland Council reviewing proposals for dualling the A96 Inverness to Nairn, a Nairn bypass, and a bypass on the east of Inverness linking the A9 to the A96. Work is also progressing well with Moray Council to review ways of addressing congestion in and around Elgin.

"We are determined to deliver improvements on the A96 and are working tirelessly to provide improved links on this vital artery."

Construction works for this particular scheme will include:

• the construction of approximately 5km of all-purpose single carriageway road;
• roundabouts to provide local access to both towns, the Baxters factory and the A98 road to Fraserburgh;
• pedestrian and cycle links will be improved with a number of underpasses constructed within the scheme to provide safe crossing points for school pupils travelling from Mosstodloch to the primary and high schools in Fochabers.
• Improved overtaking opportunities in both directions of travel;
• the installation of CCTV cameras near Inchberry Road will be linked to the local police control room.

Jim Steele, Operations Director for Morrison Construction's Infrastructure business in Scotland, said:

"We have a proven track record of successfully delivering key road improvement schemes across Scotland and this award is a tremendous boost for the company and its employees.

"As a major North of Scotland employer we are particularly pleased to have this opportunity to build on our long association with the Moray area and play a key role, working with our project partners and Transport Scotland, to design and construct this important infrastructure project.

"We will now begin the detail design in readiness for the start of construction work on this eagerly-awaited scheme."

Works on the A96 Fochabers-Mosstodloch scheme are expected to begin later this year.