Rita Campbell
More than a million pounds will be invested major repairs on a Highland road where a landslip caused severe damage three years ago.
The A82 Inverness-Glasgow road has been operating under traffic lights at Glen Gloy near Spean Bridge since the slip damaged the riverbank supporting the road in 2011.
This has prevented further damage and ensured it was safe for all road users.
Transport Scotland has been working to find a way of repairing the A82 without having to close it completely.
Ground investigation works have been completed, the land needed to allow the road to be realigned has been purchased and the detailed design for the new stretch of road is being finalised.
Head of network maintenance for Transport Scotland, Graham Edmond said: “We are now in the welcome position of starting the process to appoint a contractor to carry out the work required to fully re-open the A82 at Glen Gloy.
“This is a complicated project which will involve the realignment of a 0.2mile stretch of the road through land uphill from the gorge. It will also improve driving conditions by taking away two of the bends through this narrow section of the A82.
“We aim to have a contractor in place to start the work by the beginning of next year. The exact timescales will be finalised following the appointment of a contractor and completion of the designs.
“A huge thanks goes to the communities in the area for their patience while our investigation work has been on-going. During this time, we considered a number of solutions, but some of these would have needed the complete closure of A82 for several months. The construction method for the project will allow the goods and services to continue using A82 during the works, keeping the North West Highlands and the islands open for business.”
Chairman of Spean Bridge, Roybridge and Achnacarry Community Council, John Fotheringham said: “The news that a contractor could soon be appointed for this major repair will be very welcome in the community.”
Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch, said: “I look forward to the contractor being announced by Transport Scotland and it is great news that the work will be completed within eight to nine months.”