This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Dalkeith northern bypass design gets seal of approval
16/06/2005
A new road scheme to reduce congestion in Dalkeith moved
a step closer today.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen announced the go-ahead
for final design work for the construction of the A68
Dalkeith Northern Bypass.
The new road is almost 5km long and will bypass Dalkeith
to the north east tying a new junction on the A720
Edinburgh City Bypass east of Sheriffhall to the existing
A68 to the south of the town. There will be a flyover
junction at Salters Road.
The cost is expected to lie within the range of
£30m-£40m. The Minister has asked consultants WA Fairhurst
to prepare the new single carriageway scheme for
construction as a matter of urgency.
Nicol Stephen said:
"This new bypass for Dalkeith will help reduce
congestion around the town and improve the community's
environment and air quality.
"The multi million pounds investment in the Borders
trunk road will complement proposals for the Borders rail
link and will further improve transport links to the
Borders."
Planning approval and land acquisition for the basic
scheme are already in place. Consultants will now finalise
design checks before contractors are invited to bid to
build the new road.
Plans for the A68 Dalkeith Northern Bypass were prepared
in the mid-90s. The scheme was reviewed in the Strategic
Roads Review in 1999. Planning for the scheme has been
completed on the basis of a high quality single
carriageway.