Kessock Bridge: Changes to traffic management

Issued by Scotland TranServ

Important changes to the traffic management set up on the A9 southbound approach to Kessock Bridge are about to take place.

In conjunction with Northern Constabulary and the Traffic Management Contractor Scotland TranServ have been monitoring the current restrictions on Allangrange, Arpafeelie and Artafallie junctions. Right turn manoeuvers have been prohibited at all 3 of these junctions since the works commenced on the 11th February as a consequence of safety concerns relating to the temporary bus lane.

As a consequence of our ongoing review of the traffic management set up, it was decided to move the start of the Bus, HGV lane further from Allangrange to take merging traffic away from these junctions. This has been monitored over the last few days and found to be successful. As a result of this, we can now rescind the right turn restrictions from the Arpafeelie junction and the restriction on right turns from the A9 into the Allangrange junction. The restrictions will however remain at the Artafallie junction and vehicles will still be prohibited from turning right out of Allangrange because of visibility issues from queuing traffic.

Safety of this new arrangement will be closely monitored. Should problems develop as a consequence of these changes the previous traffic management arrangements will be reinstated.

Calum Galloway, Bridges Manager for Scotland TranServ stated:-

“The traffic management arrangements for this scheme are under constant review by Scotland TranServ, Northern Constabulary and the Traffic Management Contractor. As a consequence of this ongoing review we have been able to remove restrictions at 2 of the affected junctions, which will hopefully reduce the inconvenience on the local community. We will however continue to monitor both the safety and efficiency of the traffic management and adapt it as appropriate. Safety of the travelling public is however paramount and cannot be compromised. I would like to thank the travelling public for their continued support during this work and again encourage them where possible to avoid peak times, car share or use public transport.

With regards to progress on site the works have started well, The Contractor has removed all surfacing from the northbound carriageway and by Monday hopes to have the footway and central reserve cleared to allow the detailed inspection and testing of the steel deck to progress next week”