It’s been a busy summer across the North West trunk road network, with teams out in force delivering improvements throughout July, August and September.

Backed by £29m of investment from Transport Scotland, projects have ranged from major road resurfacing and rock slope stabilisation measures to drainage upgrades and landscaping works, all aimed at keeping our major roads safe and resilient.

Here are some of the key highlights from the last quarter.

A boulder approach

A programme of stabilisation works has been under way this summer to strengthen some of the most exposed slopes located next to the NorthWest trunk road network. At Loch Oich on the A82, specialist teams installed anchors and mesh across more than 400m² of rockface, removing vegetation and scaling back loose material to reduce the risk of rockfalls. Meanwhile, on the A887 near Invermoriston, £290,000 worth of works combined heavy scaling with the installation of drapery mesh and anchors to reinforce the slope and improve long-term resilience.

Together, these projects are making the trunk roads more resilient to natural erosion while giving road users greater confidence in safer journeys.

Smooth moves

Although it feels like the colder, rainy weather creeps in earlier and earlier each year, our structural maintenance team have still been able to deliver an impressive programme of resurfacing across the north west of Scotland. On the A86 alone, 5,208 metres of road was resurfaced, creating smoother journeys and making the surface more resilient against inclement weather.

Shining a light on success

Deephaven junction on the A9 has been given a welcome upgrade this summer with the installation of new street lighting. Extending 150 metres north and south of the previously unlit junction, the works included new lighting columns, underground cabling and illuminated signage, making the junction easier to navigate and improving safety.

Green and keen

Summer growth has been rapid, and our landscaping team has been out in force to keep the areas surrounding our trunk roads tidy and well managed. Whether they’re cutting grass verges, getting rid of ragwort or clearing signage, their efforts improve visibility and ensure that green areas next to the trunk roads are well maintained. At the same time, we balance these works with sustainable practices, ensuring vegetation management supports biodiversity and minimises environmental impact.

Clearing the way

With wetter months approaching, the proactive drainage improvements we’ve been making in the summer months will help to keep the North West trunk road network resilient and free-flowing this winter. Routine works have been carried out across the length and breadth of the North West Unit including on the A85 at Lochawe Village, on the A9 south of Drumochter, and along the A83 at Dun-Aluinn, Bellochantuy and North Lodge. Investigations, culvert repairs and clearing drainage systems of debris all contribute towards keeping surface water under control, ensuring our trunk roads stay reliable and resilient through the winter months.

All decked out

September saw the completion of the bridge deck refurbishment on the A9 Findhorn Bridge after numerous defects in the road surface indicated underlying problems.

The extensive, five-month project involved bridge deck concrete repairs, waterproofing, kerb replacement, drainage improvements, patching and resurfacing. A continuous review of the bridge deck concrete conditions, led to more extensive repairs than originally scoped. However, our teams worked hard to deliver the project and were able to finish the required work a week earlier than anticipated.