Two sections of the A85 and one section of the A828 are set to benefit from an improved road surface as surfacing works are due to get underway next week.
The £750,000 project will involve improvements on the A828 near Duror and two sections of the A85 between Tyndrum and Connel, creating a safer and smoother journey for motorists.
The improvements are scheduled to begin on Tuesday 2 February and are expected to take place across seven weeks with all work scheduled to be completed by Tuesday 23 March, subject to weather conditions.
The intended programme of work is as follows:
Due to the restricted road width on this section of the A828, a road closure will be in place between 7pm and 5am to ensure the safety of roadworkers and road users. A signed diversion route will be in place via Tyndrum using the A85 and A82, adding approximately 50 minutes onto journey times between Connel and Ballachulish. To minimise disruption to road users, amnesty periods will be provided on the A828 at 8:30pm, 9.30pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am when waiting traffic will be escorted safely through the roadworks. Motorists are encouraged to arrive in good time to ensure they are accommodated within the amnesty period.
Due to the restricted road width on this section of the A85, a road closure will be in place between 7pm and 5am to ensure the safety of roadworkers and road users. A signed diversion route will be operated via Ballachulish using the A82 and the A828, adding approximately 40 minutes onto journey times between Tyndrum and Connel. To minimise disruption to road users, amnesty periods will be provided on the A85 at 8:30pm, 9.30pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am when waiting traffic will be escorted safely through the roadworks. Motorists are encouraged to arrive in good time to ensure they are accommodated within the amnesty period.
A 10mph convoy system will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day.
Due to the restricted road width on this section of the A85, a road closure will be in place between 7pm and 5am to ensure the safety of roadworkers and road users. A signed diversion route will be operated via Ballachulish using the A82 and the A828, adding approximately 40 minutes onto journey times between Tyndrum and Connel. To minimise disruption to road users, amnesty periods will be provided on the A85 at 8:30pm, 9.30pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am when waiting traffic will be escorted safely through the roadworks. Motorists are encouraged to arrive in good time to ensure they are accommodated within the amnesty period.
A 10mph convoy system will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day.
At each site, traffic management will be reduced outwith working hours, however a temporary 30mph speed limit will remain in place as traffic will be travelling over a temporary surface.
Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times.
Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance, will be in force to protect teams and ensure they remain safe at all times.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s Representative for the North West, said: “This £750,000 investment from Transport Scotland will upgrade the existing road surface, greatly improving the quality and safety of these sections of the A828 & A85 for road users.
“The traffic management proposed is essential to the safety of our teams and motorists, however we have taken steps to minimise disruption by carrying out some of the programme overnight and avoiding works during typically busy periods of road operation.
“We thank motorists for their patience in advance and would also encourage them to plan ahead before setting out by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date travel information.”
Real-time journey planning information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or the new mobile site my.trafficscoltand.org.