This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Boyack announces £680 million investment in Scotland's trunk roads
27/03/2001
Transport Minister Sarah Boyack today announced a massive £680 million package of improvements to Scotland's motorway and trunk road network over the next three years.
The package will see investment in new construction, repairs and improvements rise from £180 million this year to almost £250 million by March 2004, an increase of nearly 40%.
The Minister's announcement today builds on the long term programme of improvements begun last year.
Announcing the programme, Sarah Boyack said:
"Last March I committed the Scottish Executive to the task of tackling years of under-investment in our roads, so that we could provide a modern strategic network for Scotland's drivers and businesses.
"Of the 49 schemes announced then, 15 have already been completed, and we have fulfilled our commitment to freeze tolls on the Skye Bridge. The remaining schemes are all underway - either at the preparation stage, published for public consultation or work has begun on site.
"Following the Scottish Spending Review total funding for motorways and trunk roads will rise from £180 million to around £250 million by 2003-04. That extra money will fund a package of improvements and new construction.
"Today I am announcing a further 30 new schemes, giving a total of 63 improvements, each costing more than £0.5m. We expect 23 schemes to be completed by April 2002, 13 by 2003 and 15 in the year to 2004. Some of the larger projects, including the construction of the M74 Extension and the new Forth crossing at Kincardine, will take longer, but we are preparing these schemes now."
BACKGROUND
- On 31 March 2000 the Minister for Transport announced 49 schemes costing over £0.5m. In addition to freezing tolls on Skye Bridge the following 15 schemes have been completed.
A7 Hawick Traffic Relief Scheme
A77 Central Reservation Replacement
A720 Edinburgh City Bypass (Phase 2)
A90 St Annes to Careston
A92 Tay Bridge Approach Road
A985 Admiralty Road, Rosyth
M73 Manse Road to Lochend
M73 Maryville to Ballieston
M74/A725 Raith Interchange
M8 Claylands to Livingston
M8 Cumbernauld Road to Provan
M9 Almond Bridge
A68 Drygrange Bridge
A76 Afton Bridge Replacement
A9 Millennium Cycle Route
- A further 30 schemes across the country have been added to the programme. The Annex shows expected completion dates for all of the schemes to 2003-04. The larger schemes will be completed later, but preparation work is in hand on each.
- In addition to these schemes, the Executive is committed to implementing the decisions flowing from the multi-modal corridor studies on the A8, A80 and the M74, and the studies on the Kincardine Bridge, and is working with Aberdeen to develop the Modern Transport System for the city. There will also be a continuing programme of routine repairs and maintenance works, as well as smaller improvement schemes.
- The Motorway and Trunk Road budget also funds research and development, provides driver information systems and meets the Executive's contractual commitments on roads and bridges.
MOTORWAY AND TRUNK ROAD SCHEMES
Schemes Targeted for Completion 2001-02 |
- A68 Soutra
| Overtaking scheme. 2.5km climbing lane |
- A726 West Mains to Peel Park Roundabout
| NEW SCHEME - Road structural maintenance scheme |
- A76 Enterkinfoot (Phase 6)
| NEW SCHEME - Removal of road stability problems |
- A77 Hansel Village Footbridge
| Provision of new footbridge |
| NEW SCHEME - Provision of roundabout |
- A77 Turnberry Climbing Lane
| Provision of overtaking opportunities |
- A87 Shiel Bridge Deck Replacement
| Improvement works |
- A9 North Kessock Junction
| Contribution to new grade separated interchange |
- A90 Bridge of Dee to Ellon Road
| Pedestrian safety improvements |
| Road realignment |
| Provision of grade separated junction |
| Road structural maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Structural maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Street lighting upgrade |
- A95 Advie Bridge Replacement
| Construction of masonry arch |
| Road improvement works |
| NEW SCHEME - Road realignment |
- M73 Drumcavel to Mollinsburn
| NEW SCHEME - Structural maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Structural maintenance scheme |
- M876 Bowtrees to Kinnaird
| NEW SCHEME - Structural maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Bridge maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Bridge maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Bridge maintenance scheme |
Schemes Targeted for Completion 2002-03 |
- A1 Bowerhouse to Spott Road
| NEW SCHEME - Construction of 1.7km dual carriageway |
| Construction of 2km dual carriageway |
| Junction improvements |
- A75 Chapelton to Bush o' Bield
| Overtaking scheme |
| Roundabout provision |
| Realignment & safety improvements |
- A77 Blackneuk Improvements
| NEW SCHEME - Removal of road stability problems |
| NEW SCHEME -Junction improvement |
| NEW SCHEME - Road safety improvements |
| 2km realignment plus 1.4km climbing lane |
| Construction of 6.3km single carriageway improvement |
| NEW SCHEME - Junction 22 Improvements |
| Provision of grade separated interchange |
Schemes Targeted for Completion 2003-04 |
| NEW SCHEME - Roundabout improvement |
- A75 Barfill to Bettyknowes
| NEW SCHEME Improvement of overtaking opportunities |
| Overtaking scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Improvement of overtaking opportunities |
- A76 Enterkinfoot (Phase 7)
| NEW SCHEME - Removal of road stability problems |
| NEW SCHEME - Provision of overtaking opportunities |
- A78 Inverkip Street Rail Bridge
| Bridge replacement |
- A8 Baillieston to Newhouse
| 11 km road maintenance scheme |
| NEW SCHEME - Junction improvement |
| Provision of grade separated junction |
| Provision of grade separated junction |
| 3km realignment plus 1.4km climbing lane |
| NEW SCHEME - Upgrade of overhead gantries |
| NEW SCHEME - Upgrade of high mast lighting |
| Bridge strengthening works |
Schemes Targeted for Completion - Beyond April 2004 |
| Construction of 13.7km dual carriageway |
- A1 Thistly Cross to Bowerhouse
| NEW SCHEME - Construction of 1.4km dual carriageway |
| NEW SCHEME - Provision of safer overtaking opportunities |
| NEW SCHEME - Provision of safer overtaking opportunities |
- A78 Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Bypass
| Construction of 5 km dual and 1.4km single carriageway |
- A876 Kincardine Bridge Eastern Link
| NEW SCHEME - Construction of single 2.5km carriagway |
| Construction of new bridge and refurbishment of exisiting crossing |
| Provision of grade separated junction |
| Provision of grade separated interchange |
- A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass
| Construction of 5 km single carriageway |
| NEW SCHEME - Construction of 8km, 3 lane carriageway with hard shoulders and 4 key junctions |
- M77 Malletsheugh to Fenwick
| Construction of 15km dual carriageway |
News Release: SE0818/2001
27 Mar 2001