Scotland

Building the A75 Dunragit Bypass

Dunragi Bypass

A project to deliver a new 5.3 kilometre stretch of road to bypass the village of Stranraer continues to make progress.

The A75 Dunragit Bypass project – implemented by Transport Scotland – has been designed to improve safety and reliability along the A75 for both eastbound and westbound road users. Once complete, the bypass will see traffic rerouted away from the village, improving safety and air quality for local residents and improving journey times.

The bypass will also reroute traffic away from the Challoch rail overbridge, which carries the Stranraer-Glasgow railway line over the A75. The overbridge has a restricted height limit and has previously been subjected to a number of bridge strikes which have caused delays and diversions.

Two new bridges are being constructed as part of the programme; with one structure built across the railway line and the second, an access bridge, constructed over the new trunk road. A shared pedestrian way and cycleway is also being included to improve safety for users.

Work began on the project in March 2013, with RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd as the main contractor. Based in Glasgow, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd is a leading contractor operating across a broad range of construction disciplines.

Before work began on the project a public exhibition was held on 22nd August 2006, in Dunragit Village Hall to provide members of the public with the opportunity to comment on the scheme. Meanwhile, during the works, RJ McLeod is keeping a close communication with both local landowners and members of the public, to ensure that the project causes as little disruption as possible.

As a number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) are situated within the locality of the works, the environmental implications of the project have been carefully considered throughout the implementation of the scheme. In addition, environmental surveys have been undertaken to identify the requirements of a number of protected species within the area.

Transport Scotland’s A75 Dunragit Bypass project is scheduled to reach completion in summer 2014.

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, accountable to both Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers. The agency oversees rail, trunk roads and major public transport projects and coordinates the National Transport Strategy for Scotland.

For more information on the A75 Dunragit Bypass project, please visit: www.transportscotland.gov.uk.

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