Luncarty to Pass of Birnam Project A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam Project

A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project

AUTUMN 2018 Bee hotels have been installed at ten The wider A9 Dualling Programme locations along the verges of the A9 Academy9 creates a buzz to help increase biodiversity on the As construction starts on the roadside in Perthshire as part of the A9 Luncarty to Pass of Birnam Dualling Programme. section, there has been no The innovative environmental project Key let-up in the work to design In brief is being driven by Academy9 – Transport INVERNESS A9 Dualling the other sections that make Existing Scotland’s education initiative specifically UTILITY WORKS up the Scottish Government’s dualling Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project linked to the £3 billion A9 Dualling Transport Scotland has been ambitious A9 Dualling Tomatin to Moy n Programme – and is a collaboration Single Dalraddy to Slochd carriageway to working closely with utility providers Programme. Kincraig to Dalraddy AVIEMORE between Jacobs, Pitlochry High School be upgraded over the course of this year to prepare ISSUE We have now published draft Crubenmore to Kincraig Project newsletter and BEAR Scotland. KINGUSSIE for the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass Orders for eight of the sections Dalwhinnie Completed # Pupils from Pitlochry High School made to Crubenmore projects of Birnam project commencing on 01 to be dualled. This means that the unique environmental habitats, known site. The upgrade and widening 95 per cent of the A9 Dualling Glen Garry as ‘bee hotels’ for solitary bees, in craft to Dalwhinnie BLAIR ATHOLL of the carriageway will impact on Programme is at or beyond this PITLOCHRY and design classes using wood donated the infrastructure of various utility Killiecrankie to Glen Garry Welcome Pitlochry High School pupils create bee hotels along A9 stage. from Glasgow Wood Recycling. Pitlochry to Killiecrankie companies who have vital services The last six miles of the Welcome to the first edition of our carriageway between Kincraig and to be constructed, with major works Thirty of the new hotels have been Tay Crossing to Ballinluig within the extents of the project dualling, through the Dunkeld Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing newsletter to bring you a round-up Dalraddy, the first section of the A9 scheduled to begin in Winter 2018. installed across ten locations on the A9 including BT, Scottish Gas Networks and Birnam area, is subject to a Luncarty to Pass of Birnam of the latest news and progress on Dualling Programme to be constructed, We want to take this opportunity to between Pass of Birnam and Glen Garry. and Scottish Water. co-creative process and is in an PERTH the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of which opened to traffic in Autumn 2017. share some of the work that has been Pupils from the school helped install Early design work, temporary earlier stage of development. Birnam project. Once fully operational, the dualling going on behind the scenes to prepare three of the hotels at one of the sites at diversions and investigations have We are aiming to identify a Since the Scottish Government of the 80 miles between Perth and for this major milestone and gear up for Fonab near Pitlochry, to gain hands-on “Dualling the A9 is not just about A9 Perth to Inverness Dualling Programme – been undertaken and are continuing preferred route for this section committed to upgrade the A9 between Inverness will bring a number of benefits the main construction stage of dualling experience of the project and develop building a road. The A9 Dualling overview of all 11 projects to locate services and identify suitable by the end of the year. Perth and Inverness to dual carriageway, including supporting sustainable the carriageway between Luncarty and their practical skills. The remaining hotels Programme provides us with an locations to move apparatus affected a significant amount of work has been economic growth, improved road safety the Pass of Birnam. were installed at various locations by opportunity to educate young by the scheme. This will ensure undertaken to realise this ambitious and better journey time reliability. teams from BEAR Scotland and Jacobs. people in aspects of STEM subjects Maintaining the A9 services are maintained whilst the main Gemma Montrose, Transport £3 billion infrastructure investment. Our focus now turns to the 9.5km Bee hotels provide a perfect habitat for (Science, Technology, Engineering and construction works are undertaken. Scotland Project Manager for BEAR Scotland is responsible for Road users are already enjoying the section from Luncarty to Pass of solitary bees which make up 90% of the Mathematics) which are relevant to the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of the operation and maintenance of benefits of the 7.5km stretch of dual Birnam, the second section of the route Birnam 297 species of bee in the UK. huge infrastructure project taking place Scotland’s trunk roads in the North FURTHER PROJECT Solitary bees pollinate plants more near where they live and learn. Ciaran Ferns with the constructed bee hotels West and North East on behalf of INFORMATION efficiently than honeybees, providing an “Getting involved in ecology and Transport Scotland, which includes one n If you have any matters you wish to essential service, pollinating our crops the environment is certainly part of biodiversity in our trunk road side verges. of the most popular tourist routes to raise concerning the project, please and ensuring that plant communities are that, and we have been delighted at “We support environmental initiatives the Scottish Highlands – the A9. road, including traffic management. contact: Transport Scotland, Buchanan healthy and productive. the enthusiasm shown by the pupils whenever possible. It’s been great to Managing and maintaining Scotland’s Eddie Ross of BEAR Scotland said: “We House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow Jo Blewett, A9 Dualling Programme when designing, building and erecting work with the pupils from Pitlochry High infrastructure is a round-the-clock job, will bring our operational experience G4 0HF. Email [email protected] Manager for Transport Scotland, said: the bee hotels while developing their School and to help spread the message 365 days a year, and demands a wide together with the lessons learned during or telephone 0141 272 7100. “The creation of bee hotels along the route understanding of the importance of these about the importance of looking after our range of services to keep Scotland moving the dualling of the A9 between Kincraig of the A9 Dualling Programme is a great pollinators in our everyday life.” For more information on the environment.” – such as regular safety inspections, and Dalraddy to this next section of the example of the many initiatives currently Eddie Ross of BEAR Scotland said: project please visit: Further plans are being looked at to winter maintenance, pothole repair A9 Dualling Programme. Working closely underway as part of this significant “We’re delighted to be involved in such transport.gov.scot/project/ install more bee hotels along the route in and carrying out emergency response with the contractor, it is our aim to help Archaeology excavations as part of investment in Scotland’s infrastructure. a fantastic project which improves the coming months. a9-luncarty-pass-birnam operations. them keep disruption to road users to a the advance works were completed BEAR Scotland will work closely with minimum throughout the construction in Summer 2018 Building on the success of our encouraged to take part in a our contractor, Balfour Beatty, during the phase.” Academy9 schools programme Academy9 competition to highlight innovation in construction of the Luncarty to Pass of Should you require any further which is delivering a wide variety the projects they are working on. Birnam project and will be consulted on information regarding BEAR Scotland, of events and activities for Conference In the Year of Young People, the all aspects affecting the operation of the please visit our website: bearscot.com hundreds of pupils in primary and emphasis of the competition is to secondary schools along the A9 makers, educational leaders and identify ideas that raise awareness WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

corridor, a major new conference industry representatives from both for pupils undertaking STEM n The A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project involves several organisations being held next March in Aviemore design and construction companies (Science, Technology, Engineering working together to deliver the improved roads infrastructure. Transport Scotland is will showcase the programme’s to share knowledge and consider the and Maths) subjects in Scotland’s delivering the £96 million investment on behalf of the Scottish Government. Assisting work. future development of the Academy9 schools. Transport Scotland in the delivery of this project is engineering firm, Jacobs, who Academy9 ‘Building a Legacy’ programme. The winners will then present their will supervise and monitor all works on site. Balfour Beatty is the main contractor is being held at the Macdonald To coincide with the conference, papers at the conference next March. responsible for designing and constructing the new infrastructure. During the Aviemore Resort in March 2019. It people working on infrastructure More details of the conference will construction phase, Balfour Beatty will work closely with BEAR Scotland who operate will bring together teachers, policy projects across Scotland are being be announced later this year. and maintain the A9 on behalf of Transport Scotland.

transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam 05 06 A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project

Transport Scotland has appointed Map legend A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project overview Balfour Beatty as the main works Balfour Beatty awarded To contractor to dual the second Birnam Roads section of the £3 billion A9 Dualling Existing dual carriageway Programme. construction contract Railway The construction contract forms part Watercourse of £96 million worth of investment to dual carriageway, the Luncarty to Pass N 8 the 9.5km of the A9 between Luncarty of Birnam section will include the Bankfoot Woodland areas Gelly and Pass of Birnam. construction of new overbridges to 5 7 Wood SSSI (Site of Special Balfour Beatty was selected from a maintain local access across the A9, Scientific Interest) 4 6 shortlist of four bidders, which included business communities, especially the widening of an existing underbridge and Scheduled monument Dragados SA, Wills Bros. Civil Engineering tourism industry along this key route.” the provision of a new side road bridge. (standing stones, etc) and a joint venture between Farrans Construction is expected to create Enhancements to Non-Motorised User Construction and Roadbridge. hundreds of new jobs which will leave (NMU) facilities will assist in improving Cabinet Secretary for Transport, a lasting legacy of a highly-skilled safety for pedestrians, cyclists and 3 Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael workforce to bolster Scotland’s equestrians, and facilitating active travel Five Mile Matheson, made the announcement at construction industry. Hector MacAulay, along the corridor. Wood A B the end of August 2018. Balfour Beatty Managing Director for As a result, the safety of the A9 will 2 Map points of interest (1-8) Mr Matheson said: “This marks Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be be greatly improved for motorists To Perth 1 1. A9/B9099 South of Luncarty junction another significant milestone in part of the major programme to upgrade and NMUs by removing junctions with Examples of integrated naturalised tree features 2. Pitlandie overbridge the timeline of this major transport the A9. We look forward to delivering this conflicting traffic flows and providing (INTFs) and an integrated bat box being created infrastructure project for Scotland which important infrastructure project which safer overtaking opportunities. Together, 3. Tullybelton/Stanley junction as part of the advance works on Luncarty to Pass Luncarty 4. Bankfoot South junction will accumulate in 80 miles of upgraded will bring travel and safety improvements these improvements will reduce driver of Birnam 5. Hunters Lodge underbridge single carriageway between Perth and to all road users whilst generating stress whilst improving journey times and r Tay 6. Bankfoot North junction Inverness. significant benefit to the local community overall operational effectiveness of the Rive 7. Coltrannie overbridge Protecting the “This £3 billion investment will vastly and economy.” route. 8. Gelly overbridge improve connectivity between the Upon completion of the A9 Dualling: C A9’s wildlife Highland and Islands and Scotland’s Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project, For more information on the A9 It may come as a surprise to most A9 road users central belt, delivering far reaching road users will benefit from 15km of Perthshire pupils uncover secrets of Scotland’s that, as part of the preparatory works to dual the benefits to the wider Scottish economy. continuous dualled carriageway from Dualling Programme, visit the A9, careful consideration has to be given to every “The project will also act as a catalyst Inveralmond roundabout in Perth to the Transport Scotland website: past following A9 Iron Age discovery species of creature that currently calls the route to attract significant inward investment Pass of Birnam. transport.gov.scot/a9dualling Pupils from Murthly Primary School, near Based around the archaeological its home. and stimulate continued growth of our In addition to the 9.5km of new dual Luncarty in Perthshire, were transported discoveries uncovered on site earlier this From the smallest insects, such as ants, to large back in time to Scotland’s Iron Age during year during the advanced works, the mammals like badgers, detailed research into their Traffic management a recent archaeology workshop hosted interactive workshops were delivered by habitats is required to ensure they can continue to by Transport Scotland as part of its the team of archaeologists who spent six A. A fragment of Neolithic pottery; B. A Souterrain – an underground live in their chosen environment. Advanced works to prepare the area for the start of A9 road users are being advised to drive with care on Academy9 programme. months excavating trenches along the structure used as a larder in Iron Age Scotland; C. A glass bead – an example Earlier this year, a team of ecologists adopted an construction are currently underway. approach to the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section as site The class of primary six and seven pupils route of the new dual carriageway. of Iron Age jewellery innovative approach to bat mitigation, as part of the These preparatory works include site clearance, which clearance progresses along the route. at Murthly was the first to benefit from AOC Archaeology Group, Transport ecological surveys being carried out in advance of involves the removal of shrub, scrub and trees. To ensure the This traffic management may include occasional lane the £96 million investment announced by Scotland’s archaeology contractor, the children a real insight into how wider communities along the route as construction, due to a national shortage in the supply safety of road users and workers while these works are being closures, reduced speed restrictions and the installation of Transport Scotland last month to dual the uncovered significant evidence of human our ancestors lived during Scotland’s we deliver this major improvement to of suitable bat boxes in the UK. carried out, traffic management may be required. traffic signals. Traffic flows will be monitored, although road A9 from Luncarty to Pass of Birnam. settlement in prehistory including domestic Iron Age and brought learning about the road infrastructure.” In conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage, Transport Scotland is working closely with its contractor users are advised to allow additional time for their journey. structures known as roundhouses – Izzy Blair (11) P7 and Kathryn Taylor (10) Scotland’s past to life.“ AOC Archaeology Group is now in Transport Scotland’s consultants for the A9 Dualling: P6 construct the frame of their Iron Age to minimise disruption to traffic while these works are being possibly dating to the Iron Age, along with a Transport Scotland Project Manager the process of documenting the finds Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project agreed that Further information on traffic management is available via roundhouse carried out, and as such, traffic management will be limited to mitigation measures to off-set the loss of any the Traffic Scotland website:trafficscotland.org souterrain, an underground structure used Gemma Montrose said: “Academy9 to help enhance our knowledge and off-peak hours, including overnight. as a larder. excavations on the route of the A9. offers pupils and teachers along the understanding of life during Scotland’s bat roosts and roosting opportunities or habitat The excavations also recovered “The pupils gained an understanding A9 corridor a unique opportunity Iron Age. fragmentation during construction, could be split numerous artefacts that would have been of timelines and chronologies and had to tap into a wealth of teaching Transport Scotland appointed between traditional bat boxes and integrated A Perth-based civil engineering firm is Local firm benefits Gemma Montrose said: “It’s great to see used day to day such as Late Neolithic the opportunity to handle genuine resources and expertise from various Balfour Beatty as its main works naturalised tree features (INTF). already seeing the benefits of the A9 from A9 dualling a locally-based small to medium sized pottery and flint tools, as well as more archaeological artefacts. They also explored professions, and brings real-life contractor for the A9 Dualling: INTF are created using chainsaw cuts in the trunk Dualling Programme, having secured two business (SME) securing contracts for decorative, personal items such as a glass prehistoric architecture by creating their examples from their surrounding Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project of the tree to make a new habitat for the animals. This contracts as part of advance works to These advance works have enabled these preliminary works on the A9 Dualling bead dating from the Iron Age. own replica roundhouses.” environment to enhance their in September 2018, and works are was the largest INTF project to be undertaken for prepare the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam seasonal activities to be undertaken before Programme. Mrs Bruce, of Murthly Primary School, education. scheduled to begin later this year. Transport Scotland to date. Charlotte Douglas, Community AOC Archaeology Group Community site for the main contractor. the main construction contract is awarded “As the A9 Dualling Programme develops, Archaeology Officer of AOC Archaeology, Archaeology Officer Charlotte Douglas said: “The children really benefited from “As we prepare to begin the These new habitats will offset the loss of any bat For more information on the A9 I & H Brown Ltd was appointed to carry to help reduce the risk of delays to the there will be more opportunities for local, with pupils Struan Gatherer (11) P7, Callan said: “The workshops have been designed the first-hand knowledge and experience construction of this latest phase roosts and roosting opportunities as a result of the Dualling Programme, visit the out demolition works earlier this year and construction programme and assist the SMEs to get involved in delivering these Young (10) P7, Lewis Blair (10) P6 and to encourage an understanding of of the archaeologists who had unearthed of dualling the A9, we look forward Luncarty to Pass of Birnam construction, ensuring the Andrew Nicholson (11) P7, complete their Transport Scotland website: more recently began site clearance works main contractor. major improvements to Scotland’s road archaeology, with particular reference to these finds so close to our community. to developing a close working bats can continue to live and breed in their familiar roundhouse using clay transport.gov.scot/a9dualling along the route. Transport Scotland Project Manager infrastructure.” the archaeology discovered during our The workshop to build a roundhouse gave relationship with schools and the environment.

transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam 02 03 04 A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project

transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam transport.gov.scot/project/a9-luncarty-pass-birnam 05 06