Transport Minister views progress on A77

The £5.5m construction contract will significantly improve safety and efficiency on a key Ayrshire route said Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson during a visit to the site today.

The A77 Parkend - Bennane scheme will provide dedicated overtaking opportunities in both directions for nearly 2 miles (1.8 miles/ 3km), just north of Ballantrae. The A77 links the west coast ports to the rest of Scotland and this project is one of a number of upgrades on this key route.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"The construction of the scheme on this lifeline route which links our west coast ports to the rest of Scotland marks another milestone in our ongoing investment in the A77.

"On completion, this project will provide better overtaking opportunities for A77 traffic, meaning more reliable and safer journeys for local communities and tourists, as well as freight traffic.

"Through this investment commercial visitors and tourists will see that Scotland is open for business - supporting long term sustainable economic growth across south west Scotland and beyond."

The contract to build this Transport Scotland funded project was awarded to RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd .

This scheme is part of £60 million of planned investment along the A77 and A75, and complements £29 million already invested on these routes.

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. Project completion is anticipated in spring 2011.