Beauly to Denny 400kV overhead Construction Works - Potential Overnight A9 Closures

17th May 2014

As part of the project to install a new overhead electricity transmission line between Beauly and Denny, Balfour Beatty, on behalf of Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission, require several short night-time closures, for a maximum of three nights, to allow essential overhead cabling activities across the A9 at Dalnacardoch, 11 miles north of Blair Atholl.
John Buchan, Overhead Line Project Manager for SHE Transmission said:

“We have planned the Overhead Line works at the A9 very carefully and have made every effort to keep disruption to an absolute minimum for motorists. The closure of the road is necessary to ensure the safety of the public and our workforce whilst we install conductors above the A9.”

“These works have been planned and consulted with Transport Scotland, The Highland Council and Cairngorms National Park Authority and they have been scheduled during the night and early mornings when traffic levels are at their lowest. The patience of the travelling public is appreciated during this critical stage of the project”

“We would encourage motorists to plan their journeys in advance, checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date information, and allow some extra time for travel.”

Due to the nature of the work, a road closure affecting both the north and southbound carriageways will be necessary to ensure the safety of the construction workers and the travelling public. Unfortunately, due to the rural nature of the site, there are no suitable diversion routes. To reduce the level of disruption caused to road users each closure will be limited to 30 minutes. As soon as each work task has been completed and the site made safe, both carriageways will be re-opened for one and a half hours to relieve congestion and prepare for the next 30 minute closure.

Works have been programmed to minimise any impact on peak traffic and will be undertaken between 11:00pm and 5:30am, starting on the night of Wednesday 4 June until the early morning on Saturday 7 June. Both the north and southbound carriageways will be closed at half hourly intervals at 11:00pm, 1:00am, 3:00am and 5:00am.

Subject to the level of progress achieved on the 4 and 5 June the planned closures for the night of the 6 June may not be required. In the unlikely event of an emergency the site could very quickly be made safe to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles.

If, due to adverse weather conditions, the works cannot be carried out, the road will remain open as normal to traffic. Real-time journey planning information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org The works are being carried out by Balfour Beatty on behalf of SHE Transmission.