MOTORISTS have been advised to 'take the pain' as they face up to two years of delays as roadworks get underway to dual a new six mile section of the A9.
Transport Scotland says there will be a 40mph speed limit imposed on an almost six-mile stretch of the road between Luncarty and Birnam in Perth and Kinross until spring 2021, enforced by temporary safety cameras.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said in August that the project, which would make the route safer for drivers, was a "significant milestone" in the bid to make the whole route between Perth and Inverness dual carriageway, at a cost of £3bn, by 2025.
Work will begin on Monday 4th February to install safety barriers and traffic management schemes to narrow lanes, with operations being carried out overnight between 7.20pm and 6.30am.
A motoring organisation and a community leader has said that people should look to the longer term gain of while enduring the pain of disruption and diversions.
George Black, chairman of Luncarty, Redgorton and Moneydie community council said they would be monitoring for any perceived problems being faced and said he would personally maintain liaison with the contractors for the duration.
"I would rather people saw the bigger picture and looked to the future," he said.
"This project is aimed at improving the safety of the area for all road users. Local drivers by now should be aware of the impending roadworks and moderate their driving plans accordingly."
Neil Greig, policy and research director of the Institute of Advance Motoring added: “It was always inevitable that an on line widening scheme such as the dualling of the A9 would lead to delays during construction. Two years of pain may seem long lasting but it will be worth it in the end when we have a much improved road.
READ MORE: A9 roadworks to continue for two years
"This is one of the busiest sections of the A9 to be improved and the potential for delays is high. The lower speed limit is an essential part of the overall safety package during the works as risk of crashes is always higher in narrow lanes and roadworks as well as helping to protect the workforce. "Avoiding breakdowns and incidents is actually the best way to keep traffic flowing so drivers have a responsibility to take care through the cones."
The A9 is one of Scotland's major traffic arteries
The first section of the A9 Dualling Programme - from Kincraig to Dalraddy - was was opened in September 2017.
The new work will mean the first nine miles (15km) of the road north of Perth will be of continuous dual carriageway.
Complete overnight closures will be put in place from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th February 20:30 to 06:00 each night, with vehicles diverted northwards via the A85 / A826 / A827.
This will continue for two weeks, and is likely to affect overnight journeys and deliveries to Inverness, with some drivers fearing 60 minutes could be added to journeys. Transport Scotland is urging road users to allow extra time for their journey.
Efforts will then turn to the full dualling scheme, which will be undertaken beside the A9 with one lane of traffic still moving in each direction Signed diversions will be put in place via the A85 for northbound traffic and via the A923 Dunkeld junction for southbound traffic.
Access for residents living in Luncarty, Bankfoot and Stanley will be maintained throughout the four-night shut down via a local road.
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