Bids sought for vital South West Scotland road project

Construction companies are being offered the opportunity to bid for a multi-million pound A77 carriageway widening project that will deliver improvements on this vital route to the Stranraer and Cairnryan ferry ports.

The tender notice for the A77 Parkend to Bennane upgrade, issued today, is the first stage in the procurement process for this vital south-west Scotland scheme.

Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister said:

“Following our announcement just last week regarding £76 million of funding to support employment and boost Scotland's economy, we have moved swiftly to deliver this key project milestone.

“It is vital that visitors – both commercial and tourists – see that Scotland is open for business and greater access to and from our ports at Stranraer and Cairnryan will bring significant benefits.

“Ensuring better traffic flow is a key part of this, and today is another step forward in our work to upgrade the A77. With £29 million of investment already delivered on the A77 and the A75, and a further £60 million committed in our current programme, we can ensure the long term sustainable economic growth of both businesses and communities across south west Scotland.”

The upgrade includes the creation over 2.5 miles of overtaking opportunities on the A77 north of Ballantrae and will significantly improve traffic flow on this key south west route connecting the ports with the central belt.

When completed, the Scheme will support businesses, communities and tourism throughout Scotland by improving the access to and from the ports of Stranraer and Cairnryan by providing additional guaranteed overtaking opportunities in both directions and reducing journey times and the number of convoys from ferry traffic.

The tender process is expected to be completed by autumn 2010 and it is anticipated work can start on site soon after for an expected opening in spring 2011. Advance works will be carried out later this year.

The 86 mile long A77 is a main link for south west communities and businesses, and this section of the route carries up to 3000 vehicles a day.

Ongoing A77 schemes include:

• A77 Park End – Benane: this scheme is programmed to start in 2010/11, and is anticipated to be completed in 2011/12
• A77 Burnside Improvement: Draft Road Orders for this scheme are to be published 2 March 2010. Draft Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO’s) are to follow 3 weeks later, and subject to any objections received and the completion of statutory procedures construction is programmed to commence towards the end of Financial Year 2010/11 with anticipated construction completion by the end of Financial Year 2011/12
• A77 Drummuckloch – Innermessan: Draft orders were published in March 2010; and subject to the completion of statutory procedures the scheme is programmed to start in 2010/11, with an anticipated construction completion in 2011/12
• A77 Ardwell – Slockenray: Draft orders are currently programmed to be published in 2010; and subject to the completion of statutory procedures the scheme is programmed to start in 2010/11, with an anticipated construction completion in 2011/12
• A77 Symington and Bogend Toll: Scheme is currently waiting the outcome of the Public Local Inquiry and is programmed to start in 2010/11, with an anticipated construction completion in 2011/12.