Improvements to the A82 in Scotland will now take place during a series of overnight closures.
Originally, the road was going to be fully closed for 14 weeks while essential works were carried out.
But residents and businesses along the A82 Pulpit Rock have welcomed the alternative road closure proposals which are set to get underway later this month.
After listening to concerns raised during a consultation in April, Transport Scotland and its contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, worked together to develop a more favourable solution.
The works will now take place using a series of overnight closures between June 2013 and May 2014, along with one full closure for less than a week in January 2014.
Transport Minister, Keith Brown (pictured) said: “The Scottish Government remains committed to our ambitious plans to upgrade the A82 and that includes the Pulpit Rock scheme.
“By its very nature, Pulpit Rock presents geographical and engineering challenges. The road is strategically important as a key route between the Highlands and islands and the central belt, while its natural beauty attracts many tourists. Any solution has to ensure the needs of all users are met without detracting from its vital role to the local tourism economy.
“Having listened to local concerns about the 14-week closure, Transport Scotland and its contractor have developed a less disruptive solution to deliver these improvements.”
Sam Watters, project manager, McLaughlin & Harvey added:“We recognised from the outset that any reduction in the proposed 14 week closure would be a great benefit to the local community, business owners and road users. With that goal in mind we tailored our design solution and construction methodology to achieve this significant reduction in road closures thus limiting the potential impact to road users.”
The Pulpit Rock improvements will see a 0.4km length of new road built, with one lane in each direction. This will include a new structure that runs parallel to the shoreline and some widening of the existing road.
Work will get underway later this month and is expected to last approximately 12 months.
