Work starts on new road from A96 to serve new town of Tornagrain between Inverness and Nairn
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Work has started on a new road to Tornagrain from the roundabout at the A96 trunk road.
The new town is currently served by a single track road with passing places but developers Moray Estates have revealed some exciting new developments which are likely to take place soon.
Development manager Nicole Petrie said work is now under way on the new access road which has two lanes and will take about nine months to complete.
Work is expected to finish towards the end of October.
She said: “The contractor has fenced off areas for their compound and work has now begun on a two lane stretch of roadway which is obviously needed now as Tornagrain continues to develop.”
So far 250 houses have been completed on the site but that could rise to 4680.
The population is expected to peak ultimately at 10,000.
“There will 900 metres of two-lane carriageway to be constructed and we expect six overnight closures from 10pm to 6am and maybe occasional traffic lights,” Mrs Petrie said.
“It will be done in sections to minimise disruption.
“There will be two lanes and a path on either side with the west path being formed straight away.
“Eventually there will be a cycle path all the way to the airport but the footpath and cycleway on the north side of the A96 to the airport is already in place.”
In areas where there is street lighting the speed limit will be 20mph and from Midcoul to the A96 the limit will be 30mph.
Mrs Petrie said they are waiting for information on the timing of the A96 dual carriageway upgrade.
A footbridge for cyclists and pedestrians is a possibility, she said, but until further information is provided about what will be happening to the existing trunk road no firm decisions have been made.
She said the dualling of the A96 would incorporate all the infrastructure needed, including an underpass, to get pedestrians safely across the A96.
A path to the new railway station serving Inverness Airport, on the south side of the A96, will be completed by the end of the year.
A new café is also due to open shortly, near to the existing neighbourhood centre, along with two or three shops and potentially a grocery store in the future.
Pledge on Inverness to Nairn dualling
