Work to start on multi million motorway interchange for Larbert - Transport Minister announces contract award
Keith Brown has announced a £1.7m contract be awarded to RJ McLeod, which will see work start on a new motorway interchange.
The award, part of the £2.8m slip roads scheme for the M876 at Glenbervie, will support jobs and act as a catalyst for economic growth in Central Scotland.
Mr Brown said: “I’m delighted to announce another significant sum invested which will help support local jobs and deliver a major road improvement for users in Central Scotland.
“We expect this scheme, which will see the upgrading of the junction between the A9 and the M876 to a four-way interchange to improve accessibility to the M80 and M9 motorways, the Clackmannanshire Bridge, and the Larbert area, whilst easing congestion for drivers.
“As a government we are absolutely committed to developing our road infrastructure to help support economic growth and this contract builds on a portfolio of investment on our transport infrastructure to ensure it is fit for purpose.”
Cllr Craig Martin, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “This project will improve our transport infrastructure and increase economic development opportunities across the area.
“It will also bring associated environmental and road safety improvements an improve access to the local towns such as Stenhousemuir and Larbert and the adjacent development site at Glenbervie.”
Scottish Enterprise Director of Infrastructure, Allan McQuade, added: "An efficient transport network is valuable to boosting Scotland's economy and this improved transport infrastructure will help enhance central Scotland as a globally competitive business environment and allow key sectors operating in the area to flourish."
The scheme is expected to begin construction on 5th March 2012, with completion by the end of August 2012.
1. The £2.865m scheme is being funded by Scottish Government, Falkirk Council and Scottish Enterprise with Ministers contributing around two thirds of the final project costs. Falkirk Council will design, procure and manage the project.
2. The contract - award to RJ McLeod for the value of £1,688,637 – is subject to a ten day standstill (Alcatel) period which expires on 27 January 2012.
3. The construction of the new slip roads from the A9 to the M876 east of junction 2 of the M876 will provide direct access to and from the east (Edinburgh/Fife). Currently junction 2 only provides access to and from the west (Glasgow). At present access to the east is via the A88/A905 to the Bowtrees Junction or at Junction 5 on the M9 at Grangemouth.
4. The 2 new slip roads will each be approximately 500 metres in length with a 3.7m wide carriageway and 3.3m wide hard shoulder. The on-slip will access the M876 from a new roundabout on the A9 Stirling road which will also provide access to Glenbervie Golf Club and Glenbervie House Hotel. The off-slip from the M876 will access the A9 Stirling Road with a priority T junction.
5. Advance public utility/service diversion works are nearing completion with the main works to construct the slip roads starting March 2012 for completion by August 2012.
6. The scheme has been through a full Environmental Assessment with identified mitigation measures incorporated into the design.
7. The scheme will remove significant levels of traffic from the local road network (A88/A905) with the associated benefits and provide better infrastructure for potential businesses locating in the Larbert/Stenhousemuir area. It will also improve access to and from the new NHS Forth Valley Royal Infirmary.
8. Along the currently used local route (A88/A905), the completed scheme will reduce accidents, vehicle operating costs, journey time costs and give a net reduction in greenhouse gases.
9. Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national transport agency responsible for; aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
For further information contact:
Steven Carmichael
0141 272 7195
Ref: TS663 SC
Contact Information
Julia McLaren
Engagement Partner
Scottish Enterprise
0300 013 3223
07801 794046