A9 dualling
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Re: A9 dualling
Well let's be honest it's not part of the A9 as (I think) it was built quite a while after the A9 was originally built. But it is a part of the existing cycle network and people do use it so if they didn't bother there would be a bit of an outcry by having the cycle track split at both ends. I suppose it's a constraint as it's something like the railway line, that it's in the way and they have to plan around it.
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Re: A9 dualling
NCN7 is a constraint in that it needs to be accommodated. It's less of a constraint than the rivers, the Highland Mainline or Beauly - Denny powerlines as they are constraints that can't be moved.Nwallace wrote:What's annoying is they consider the NCN7 route a constraint rather than part of the A9.
If it was treated as part of the A9 then rather than being a constraint that gets in the way, it would simply be a separate carriageway needing built alongside.
I've seen little said in favour of the part over drummochter, probably because it's a horrid wee path that's usually covered in loose gravel and rubbish thrown from the road that bumps along in what ever space was the cheapest including a horrible wee narrow track that basically sits on the kerb at the summit. A perfect example of a poor use of funds that no one wants to use unless they can avoid it.
At Drumochter the plans certainly involve reconstruction of the NCN on a new alignment at some of the most constrained spots.
Having ridden the NCN from Blair Atholl - Inverness two years ago I certainly didn't have any complaints about the Drumochter section. It was perfectly good fine rolled grit, rather than chunky gravel. I wouldn't mind seeing more of it tarmaced but not all off road cyclepaths can or should be tarred.
Serious LEJOGers will always prefer the A9 anyway, no matter how much you improve the cyclepath.
The offroad section that was really substandard was north of Aviemore through the woods. Fun route but really only suitable for hybrids, not road bikes.
- novaecosse
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Re: A9 dualling
Technical issue delays opening of new A9 stretch
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "Final checks prior to opening have identified a technical issue with a short section of the new road.
"We are now working closely with our contractor to have this issue resolved so the road can be fully opened to traffic as soon as possible.
"This work will not affect the cost of the project for the Scottish government."
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Re: A9 dualling
Drove though it today and the cones are nearly ready to be lifted. On the "former" overtaking lane a large lay by has appeared for some reason.
I wonder what the delay is, is it to do with the fact that some of the gravel is already coming loose with scattered sections visible northbound?...
I wonder what the delay is, is it to do with the fact that some of the gravel is already coming loose with scattered sections visible northbound?...
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Re: A9 dualling
Don't know if it's the technical problem being referred to, but on some of the slightly split level sections where there was only an armco barrier on the upslope side of the central reservation a second barrier line was being installed beside the lower carriageway. There has also been some patching of the southbound carriageway surface in the last week.
A chunk of the WS2+1 lane has been turned into a large lay-by as noted, material dug out from the bank to widen this has been spread over the one of the old Northbound lanes.
Rules say WS2+1 may not exist within 2km of dual carriageway unless joined from a roundabout or something like that, but couldn't have just been retained with it remarked as standard 2+1? It seems rather perverse that this overtaking opportunity is being removed when the whole scheme is about improving overtaking opportunities. I guess the bridge at the wildlife park entrance wasn't wide enough to take 3 lanes, thus enabling 2 continuous northbound lanes from the start of the WS2+1 to end of dual carriageway near the Lynwilg junction.
A chunk of the WS2+1 lane has been turned into a large lay-by as noted, material dug out from the bank to widen this has been spread over the one of the old Northbound lanes.
Rules say WS2+1 may not exist within 2km of dual carriageway unless joined from a roundabout or something like that, but couldn't have just been retained with it remarked as standard 2+1? It seems rather perverse that this overtaking opportunity is being removed when the whole scheme is about improving overtaking opportunities. I guess the bridge at the wildlife park entrance wasn't wide enough to take 3 lanes, thus enabling 2 continuous northbound lanes from the start of the WS2+1 to end of dual carriageway near the Lynwilg junction.
- novaecosse
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Re: A9 dualling
No, the 2+1 ended just before it went over the underpass into the Wildlife Park.
This structure has not been widened.
This structure has not been widened.
Re: A9 dualling
They could have just extended the new central reservation along the 2+1 section with an extra metre on the 1 lane side to allow passing in emergencies.haggishunter wrote:Don't know if it's the technical problem being referred to, but on some of the slightly split level sections where there was only an armco barrier on the upslope side of the central reservation a second barrier line was being installed beside the lower carriageway. There has also been some patching of the southbound carriageway surface in the last week.
A chunk of the WS2+1 lane has been turned into a large lay-by as noted, material dug out from the bank to widen this has been spread over the one of the old Northbound lanes.
Rules say WS2+1 may not exist within 2km of dual carriageway unless joined from a roundabout or something like that, but couldn't have just been retained with it remarked as standard 2+1? It seems rather perverse that this overtaking opportunity is being removed when the whole scheme is about improving overtaking opportunities. I guess the bridge at the wildlife park entrance wasn't wide enough to take 3 lanes, thus enabling 2 continuous northbound lanes from the start of the WS2+1 to end of dual carriageway near the Lynwilg junction.
Formerly known as 'lortjw'
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Re: A9 dualling
So it would be a weird Bankfoot section again? That's sounds good but I imagine they're not doing stuff like that as it will all have to be redone when Crubenmore to Kincraig is constructed.lotrjw wrote:They could have just extended the new central reservation along the 2+1 section with an extra metre on the 1 lane side to allow passing in emergencies.haggishunter wrote:Don't know if it's the technical problem being referred to, but on some of the slightly split level sections where there was only an armco barrier on the upslope side of the central reservation a second barrier line was being installed beside the lower carriageway. There has also been some patching of the southbound carriageway surface in the last week.
A chunk of the WS2+1 lane has been turned into a large lay-by as noted, material dug out from the bank to widen this has been spread over the one of the old Northbound lanes.
Rules say WS2+1 may not exist within 2km of dual carriageway unless joined from a roundabout or something like that, but couldn't have just been retained with it remarked as standard 2+1? It seems rather perverse that this overtaking opportunity is being removed when the whole scheme is about improving overtaking opportunities. I guess the bridge at the wildlife park entrance wasn't wide enough to take 3 lanes, thus enabling 2 continuous northbound lanes from the start of the WS2+1 to end of dual carriageway near the Lynwilg junction.
Re: A9 dualling
It would mean only a small amount of widening when that bit becomes a full dual section, until then Northbound could have 2 lanes and Southbound 1 with a narrow hatched section. That would have also meant only the southbound section would need widening in the future too.Duncan macknight wrote:So it would be a weird Bankfoot section again? That's sounds good but I imagine they're not doing stuff like that as it will all have to be redone when Crubenmore to Kincraig is constructed.lotrjw wrote:They could have just extended the new central reservation along the 2+1 section with an extra metre on the 1 lane side to allow passing in emergencies.haggishunter wrote:Don't know if it's the technical problem being referred to, but on some of the slightly split level sections where there was only an armco barrier on the upslope side of the central reservation a second barrier line was being installed beside the lower carriageway. There has also been some patching of the southbound carriageway surface in the last week.
A chunk of the WS2+1 lane has been turned into a large lay-by as noted, material dug out from the bank to widen this has been spread over the one of the old Northbound lanes.
Rules say WS2+1 may not exist within 2km of dual carriageway unless joined from a roundabout or something like that, but couldn't have just been retained with it remarked as standard 2+1? It seems rather perverse that this overtaking opportunity is being removed when the whole scheme is about improving overtaking opportunities. I guess the bridge at the wildlife park entrance wasn't wide enough to take 3 lanes, thus enabling 2 continuous northbound lanes from the start of the WS2+1 to end of dual carriageway near the Lynwilg junction.
Formerly known as 'lortjw'
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Re: A9 dualling
I was thinking that it may be the lack of barriers between the cycle path and the road but maybe I'm being over cautious, considering most cyclists doing the A9 route would rather use the road.Duncan macknight wrote:Drove though it today and the cones are nearly ready to be lifted. On the "former" overtaking lane a large lay by has appeared for some reason.
I wonder what the delay is, is it to do with the fact that some of the gravel is already coming loose with scattered sections visible northbound?...
Re: A9 dualling
Like its safe when traffic is going along at 60MPH! and as for the duelled sections!!Moon and back wrote:I was thinking that it may be the lack of barriers between the cycle path and the road but maybe I'm being over cautious, considering most cyclists doing the A9 route would rather use the road.Duncan macknight wrote:Drove though it today and the cones are nearly ready to be lifted. On the "former" overtaking lane a large lay by has appeared for some reason.
I wonder what the delay is, is it to do with the fact that some of the gravel is already coming loose with scattered sections visible northbound?...
This is what gets me about dual carriageways, it legally allows pedestrians and cyclists yet its as fast a road as a motorway when they ban the two from motorways! It really does make no sense!
Formerly known as 'lortjw'
Re: A9 dualling
All the more reason to give this road 'Special' status.lotrjw wrote:Like its safe when traffic is going along at 60MPH! and as for the duelled sections!!Moon and back wrote:I was thinking that it may be the lack of barriers between the cycle path and the road but maybe I'm being over cautious, considering most cyclists doing the A9 route would rather use the road.Duncan macknight wrote:Drove though it today and the cones are nearly ready to be lifted. On the "former" overtaking lane a large lay by has appeared for some reason.
I wonder what the delay is, is it to do with the fact that some of the gravel is already coming loose with scattered sections visible northbound?...
This is what gets me about dual carriageways, it legally allows pedestrians and cyclists yet its as fast a road as a motorway when they ban the two from motorways! It really does make no sense!
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Re: A9 dualling
You said it!McNessA720 wrote:All the more reason to give this road 'Special' status.lotrjw wrote:Like its safe when traffic is going along at 60MPH! and as for the duelled sections!!Moon and back wrote: I was thinking that it may be the lack of barriers between the cycle path and the road but maybe I'm being over cautious, considering most cyclists doing the A9 route would rather use the road.
This is what gets me about dual carriageways, it legally allows pedestrians and cyclists yet its as fast a road as a motorway when they ban the two from motorways! It really does make no sense!
Formerly known as 'lortjw'
- andrewwoods
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Re: A9 dualling
They ban them from Motorways after providing an alternative route. This can't really be done on that section of the A9, so it's probably the best compromise that we'll get.McNessA720 wrote:All the more reason to give this road 'Special' status.lotrjw wrote:Like its safe when traffic is going along at 60MPH! and as for the duelled sections!!Moon and back wrote: I was thinking that it may be the lack of barriers between the cycle path and the road but maybe I'm being over cautious, considering most cyclists doing the A9 route would rather use the road.
This is what gets me about dual carriageways, it legally allows pedestrians and cyclists yet its as fast a road as a motorway when they ban the two from motorways! It really does make no sense!
Re: A9 dualling
The A9 between Perth & Inverness has been mostly reconstructed since it was first allocated in the 1920s.
The old route of the A9 still exists (under various aliases) alongside the present road.
Surely this would provide an alternate route should the A9 be upgraded to motorway/special standards?
The old route of the A9 still exists (under various aliases) alongside the present road.
Surely this would provide an alternate route should the A9 be upgraded to motorway/special standards?
"I see the face of a child. He lives in a great city. He is black. Or he is white. He is Mexican, Italian, Polish. None of that matters. What matters, he's an American child"
- Richard Nixon
- Richard Nixon
Re: A9 dualling
The A9 between Perth & Inverness was fully rebuilt in the late 20s and early 30s, and again starting in the 1970s. This is the third bash at it in a century!
Whilst much of the old route does survive, there are several points, particularly Slochd, where there physically isn't enough room to get a DC through without blasting away huge chunks of the hillside. To create enough room for an LAR as well is not really feasible. Drumochter is almost as tricky, where there are bits of the old road underneath the embankments of the new road. The cycle route is provided by narrow tarmac or, in places, hardcore tracks, as noted above, squeezed between road and rail.
Having said all that, the A1/A1M system doesn't seem to confuse too many people, so making the A9 a special road for the majority, and just Slochd Drumochter, and one or two other pieces of All Purpose where needed might be possible.
Whilst much of the old route does survive, there are several points, particularly Slochd, where there physically isn't enough room to get a DC through without blasting away huge chunks of the hillside. To create enough room for an LAR as well is not really feasible. Drumochter is almost as tricky, where there are bits of the old road underneath the embankments of the new road. The cycle route is provided by narrow tarmac or, in places, hardcore tracks, as noted above, squeezed between road and rail.
Having said all that, the A1/A1M system doesn't seem to confuse too many people, so making the A9 a special road for the majority, and just Slochd Drumochter, and one or two other pieces of All Purpose where needed might be possible.
Rob.
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My mission is to travel every road and visit every town, village and hamlet in the British Isles.
I don't like thinking about how badly I am doing.
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Re: A9 dualling
True, as pretty much 90ish% of the old road still exists bits of it have been obliterated by the modern route in several locations (ie Perth to luncarty, East Mairns, Dowally and Kildallachan, Ballinluig to Pitlochry, Edendon bridge to (pretty much) Dalwhinnie, Slochd, and Daviot to Bogbain) so there will be several challenges in doing this. The villagers at Dowally and Dunkeld are already not too pleased with the road being dualled past their houses let alone another road built along side. Slochd presents physical challenges as does Drumochter with the rocks and existing infrastructure. Making the A9 a special road would be a great way of speeding the road up a bit but most of these villages and settlements rely on the all purpose classification of the A9 as there's sometimes, quite often in fact where there is no reasonable alternative route so they will be in a bit of bother.McNessA720 wrote:The A9 between Perth & Inverness has been mostly reconstructed since it was first allocated in the 1920s.
The old route of the A9 still exists (under various aliases) alongside the present road.
Surely this would provide an alternate route should the A9 be upgraded to motorway/special standards?
More dualling news, the technical problem at Kincraig has been identified in this report...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-41359645
Re: A9 dualling
I listened to this on Radio Scotland as I was driving through the roadworks oddly enough.Duncan macknight wrote: More dualling news, the technical problem at Kincraig has been identified in this report...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-41359645
I think it's total . All the Armco looks fine. Just an excuse for the late delivery because they accepted the cheapest quote not the best one.
I hope the JV that got the gig to construct this section aren't seen anywhere else near the A9 dualling again.
Re: A9 dualling
If you're looking to delay a project, just get the A1(M) team from the Leeming to Barton in. Expect the A9 dualling project to be completed by 2125 (at a push).
Re: A9 dualling
The old roads are the basis of the current NCN routes, the main sections which are not on either the old A9 roads or on other roads in the area are:McNessA720 wrote:The A9 between Perth & Inverness has been mostly reconstructed since it was first allocated in the 1920s.
The old route of the A9 still exists (under various aliases) alongside the present road.
Surely this would provide an alternate route should the A9 be upgraded to motorway/special standards?
RCR83 (the much more sensible option) Ballinluig to Rotmell
Old road is in the trees and significantly narrowed so this is mostly mulchy, leaf and twig strewn footpath width
NCN7 B898 jucntion with A9 to Dunkeld
A ridiculous riverside path
NCN7 Dalnachardoch to Dalwhinnie
A fair bit of it is a litter strewn path down the embankment of the dual carriageway, it generally bumps and zig zags it's way along before rising up to road level, then going above road level before dropping down to the section over the summit, the section over the summit itself is a horrible little path beside the carriageway with just enough room for 2 loaded bikes to pass in opposite directions, from there you're back onto a fairly good path when it abruptly rejoins the old road which you've been able to see running through the fields beside you... I suspect landowner involvement in this cludged section.
NCN7 Daviot to Inverness
Because everyone wants to go out to Culloden before going back into town... No they don't, the bit most people heading to Inverness just hit the left hand lane.