The West Section under construction in 2020

Plans are in place to construct a southern bypass that would link the A9, A82 and A96 together involving crossings of the Caledonian Canal and the River Ness in the Torvean area, southwest of the city.[1] The bypass, known as the Inverness Trunk Road Link (TRL), is aimed at resolving Inverness’s transport problems and has been split into two separate projects, the east and west sections. Also proposed is the upgrade of the existing B8082 Southern Distributor Road to dual 2-lane carriageway or single 4-lane carriageway, that will connect the two sections together.

East Section

The east section will bypass Inshes Roundabout, and accommodate proposals for new development at the West Seafield Retail and Business Park and also a new Inverness Campus, which houses Inverness College UHI's main campus together with "An Lochran" which is jointly occupied by HIE and UHI Executive Office.

West Section

At the west end, two options for crossing the River Ness and Caledonian Canal were developed. One involving a high level vertical opening bridge which will allow the majority of canal traffic to pass under without the need for opening. The other involved a bridge over the river and an aqueduct under the canal. Both of these designs are technically complex and were considered in detail along by the key stakeholders involved in the project. Ultimately it was decided that a bridge over the river and a tunnel under the canal were the best option, although more expensive.[2] Following a public consultation, 8 route options were put forward for consideration by Highland Council[3] from which one was chosen,.[4] This route passes through the canal park area of Inverness, and remains highly contentious.[5] An Inverness Courier poll indicated that 85% of residents would choose an alternative route, most popularly one through Torvean Quarry.

This section is expected to be completed in 2021.[6]

Funding

In late 2008 the controversial decision by the Scottish Government not to include the full Inverness bypass in its transport plan for the next 20 years was made. The government's Strategic Transport Projects Review did however, include the eastern section of the route, which will see the A9 at Inshes linked to the A96.

But the absence of the TLR's western section, which would include a permanent crossing over the Caledonian Canal and River Ness, sparked dismay among several Highland councillors and business leaders in Inverness who feel the bypass is vital for the city's future economic growth.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Go Ahead for Design of Inverness Trunk Link Road". Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. ↑ "Trunk link road tunnel to cost £85m - the Inverness Courier". Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  3. ↑ "Inverness Courier | News | Inverness-Bypass | Inverness bypass route options, public asked for views". Archived from the original on 9 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Option six picked as possible new route for Inverness bypass | Inverness Courier | News | Inverness-Bypass". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Link-Protest-Group-Inverness/201272206555997
  6. ↑ Now, Scottish Construction. "Inverness West Link bypass contractors hail project's 'solid progress'". Scottish Construction Now. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. ↑ http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8355/Labour_to_quiz_Holyrood_government_on_TLR_funding.html%5B%5D
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