Warnings of major roadworks on the A86 Newtonmore-Fort William from weekend
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Motorists are being warned of overnight road closures on the A86 Newtonmore-Fort William road from the end of this weekend.
Essential surfacing improvements across three locations on the cross-country route are set to get under way from Sunday (July 19).
The improvements to create a smoother and safer road are scheduled to take up to 10 nights to compete.
They will take place between 8pm and 5am each night with surfacing due to be completed by 5am on Friday 31 July.
No works are planned for Friday or Saturday nights.
There will be several escorted convoys through the works each night but those caught out will face major diversions via Inverness.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West representative said: “This surfacing project across these three locations of A86 will help address any defects and greatly improve the surface for motorists.
“The overnight closures are essential for ensuring the safety of road workers and motorists due to the narrow widths of the road at these locations.
"We’ve taken steps to limit the overall impact of the project by carrying out the work overnight and avoiding working on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We’ve changed our ways of working to ensure all staff and the local community are kept safe at all times, and all personnel will be subject to strict physical distancing protocols in line with Scottish guidance.
"Thorough risk assessments have been developed and cleansing stations will be implemented on site to ensure all staff remain safe.
“Our teams will do all they can to complete the works as quickly and safely as they can, and we thank the local community and road users for their patience in advance while we complete these projects.
"We encourage motorists to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information.”
The programme of work is as follows:
A86 Creag Meagaidh – Sunday 19 July to Wednesday 22 July (four nights). Amnesties will be provided at 9pm, 10pm, midnight, 2am and 4am to allow waiting vehicles to be escorted through the site safely under a 10mph convoy system.
Alternatively, there will be a diversion route via Inverness.
A86 West of Laggan Dam – Thursday 23 July to Sunday 26 July (two nights, excluding Friday and Saturday nights). Amnesties will be provided at 9pm, 10pm, midnight, 2am and 4am to allow waiting vehicles to be escorted through the site safely under a 10mph convoy system.
Alternatively, there will be a diversion route via Inverness.
A86 East of Newtonmore – Monday 27 July to Thursday 30 July (four nights). Overnight road closure in place for safety.
No amnesties will be provided as a signed diversion route via the B9150 will be in place which adds five minutes to the journey time between Newtonmore and Kingussie.
The road will be open out with working hours to keep disruption to a minimum, however, a speed restriction of 30mph will remain in place as traffic will be running over a temporary surface.
Access through the works site for emergency services will be maintained at all times.
Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.
ENDS 13 July 2020
Scheme coordinates: East extents; Latitude, Longitude: 57.072154, -4.0984449
West extents; Latitude, Longitude: 56.889503, -4.6923450
Notes to editors:
BEAR Scotland manages and maintains the trunk roads in the NE and NW of Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland. www.transportscotland.gov.uk
These works are weather dependant and in the event of unforeseen weather conditions the above timescales for traffic management may have to be extended until works are completed.
Emergency services will be able to pass through the works at all times.
