12th June 2011
At peak times significant traffic delays are anticipated
Major repairs are required to the north expansion joint on both carriageways of the Kessock Bridge and remedial works to the bridge deck surfacing.
The works will start on Sunday 19th June 2011, for 8 days using a 24 hour contra flow working with a 30mph speed restriction. At peak times significant traffic delays are anticipated.
Both lanes of the northbound carriageway will be closed for the first three days to allow that section of the expansion joint to be dismantled and reassembled. Both lanes of the southbound carriageway will be closed from Wednesday 22nd June 2011, until the evening of Sunday 26th June 2011, to similarly attend to that section of the south bound joint.
Scotland Transerv, on behalf of Transport Scotland, are encouraging all communities and businesses throughout the North of Scotland to consider, amongst other things, car sharing, use of public transport, home working and where practicable staggered working hours.
Additional train capacity planned during the Kessock Bridge works
Plans to help remove traffic on the A 9 Kessock Bridge during the upcoming emergency works (19 - 26 June) are underway, with ScotRail set to provide extra capacity on the early morning Lairg to Inverness route and the evening Inverness to Ardgay.
In an effort to reduce the volume of vehicles crossing the bridge, particularly during peak commuting hours and at lunch time, Scotland Transerv is requesting employers to allow staff to work from home and to be flexible with working hours. It is also encouraging motorists to use public transport alternatives or to car pool.
An extra two carriages (121 seats) will be provided Monday 20th June - Friday 24th June,2011, on the-
•0634 Lairg to Inverness service, arriving in Inverness at 0815
•1715 Inverness to Ardgay service, arriving in Ardgay at 18:38
Cathel Macaskill at Scotland Transerv said: "We are delighted to see this additional capacity from ScotRail to enable more commuters to make the switch to rail during these emergency works.
"We are encouraging people to think about their travel during these works and use public transport or car pool if they can. Another option is to work flexible hours outwith peak travel times, or to work from home.
"We would like to thank everyone for their assistance in this. By alleviating road traffic on the bridge we are helping to reduce the impact of these works."
Motorists should allow extra time for their journeys and pay attention to any advisory signs in place throughout the works. For real time journey planning information visit www.trafficscotland.org
A twitter account will be set up to provide up to the minute information about the works, www.twitter.com/kessockbridge
Council call on Scottish Government to step up mitigation actions ahead of repairs to the A9 Kessock Bridge (09/06/11)
The Highland Council is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure more is done to cushion the impact of emergency repairs to the A9 Kessock Bridge scheduled between 19-26 June, including increased national publicity warning drivers of delays.
Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council's Transport Environment and Community Services Committee, has written to Keith Brown, MSP, Scottish Minister for Housing and Transport, highlighting his concerns about the level of disruption that might be caused by the closure of one carriageway for the duration of the works.
The works will be carried out by Scotland Transerv on behalf of Transport Scotland, who are the trunk road operating company for this area.
Councillor Laing wrote: "I am sure you will appreciate the importance of this transport link which carries a very significant amount on traffic into Inverness each morning from the north, and the level of disruption which will be caused during the morning and evening traffic peaks by these works.
"While I recognise that the works are essential, I would raise concerns in relation to the lack of public awareness over this matter, and would be grateful if you could ask Transport Scotland to increase their publicity campaign, both in advance of the works and during the works, as a matter of urgency.
"I understand that some mitigation measures are planned including the provision of additional rail capacity, and these are welcomed, however there will still be significant levels of congestion. My concern is that the evening peak may well result in grid lock in Inverness, which will have an adverse impact across Inverness, not just the commuters returning home across the bridge.
"I feel that we need to do more to reduce the impact of these works, and for our part we are advising the staff affected to adopt flexible working arrangements such as, working flexible hours, working from home, or from other local offices, while the works are in place. It would be most helpful if the Scottish Government and our public sector partners were to adopt a similar approach. I would urge you to do all you can to minimise the level of disruption."