Work will finally get underway on a long awaited upgrade of a notorious stretch of the A9 next year.
Final designs for improving the Berriedale Braes in Caithness have been agreed and Transport Scotland will begin to look for a contractor in the next few weeks.
The project could finally be completed by late 2019.
Progress was widely welcomed by business leaders and politicians yesterday.
Motorists using the Inverness to Thurso road have to contend with steep climbs and a tight hairpin bend at Berriedale as it stands at present.
The Press and Journal revealed last year that the improvement scheme was finally given the go-ahead in December last year after a single objection from a local landowner sparked a public inquiry.
Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “Having got the go-ahead last December following a public local inquiry, we’re now able to publish the made orders for the scheme as a clear signal of our commitment to deliver this scheme.
“Subject to completing the statutory procedures, we expect to start the procurement process for the main construction contract for this project later this year, with works planned to start in 2018.”
A spokesman for Transport Scotland added that the estimated completion is currently late 2019, though this is subject to discussions once a contractor is appointed.
The business community in the north of Scotland have regularly called for improvements in the area – while safety campaigners have also demanded change because of a number of serious accidents.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and chairwoman of the Caithness Transport Forum, said: “We are extremely pleased that the made orders have now been published for work on the A9 at Berriedale Braes, and that work on this much-needed improvement may commence in 2018.
“This has been a key transport bottleneck for the north Highlands, and after years of campaigning and pressure by us and others, we are delighted to see this work finally progress.”
Eann Sinclair of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership added: “There was a perception that Berriedale was a blocker for business traffic so this helps remove that perception.”
Caithness MSP Gail Ross said: “This section of road is notorious and a real hazard, at all times of the year. The improvements will not only impact on the safety of the secion of road, it will also improve the journey times on this section.
“The A9 is indispensable for everyone in Caithness and Sutherland. I’m proud to be part of the party of Government which is addressing the lack of investment in years past and improving the road for us all.”
