A multi-million-pound project which will transform the road network in the north of Kirkcaldy is due to get under way next week.
The long-awaited scheme, which will see Chapel Level turned into a dual carriageway between its Fair Isle Road and Hendry Road junctions, was deemed necessary because of the many developments in the north of the town in recent years with the proposals on the table designed to significantly ease congestion and improve traffic flow in the area.
Workers with contractors RJ McLeod are likely to begin work on the £3.4 million initiative as early as Monday, kicking off a project which is expected to take anything up to a year to complete.
The scheme is being jointly funded by Fife Council and NHS Fife, as both are set to benefit from the works.
A council spokesman said the road improvements are needed after examples of expansion in the area, such as the development of the John Smith Business Park, the building of hundreds of new houses at Muttonhall and the creation of the £170 million new wing at Victoria Hospital.
”These investments will help create new jobs and homes for the town, but improvements need to be made to the road network to support the increase in traffic and provide safer routes for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.
The main thrust of the programme will see the road between Fair Isle Road and Hendry Road upgraded to create a dual carriageway, effectively tackling the last section of Chapel Level between Wester Bogie Roundabout and Hendry Road that remains a single carriageway.
The other key development will see major improvements carried out at the Hendry Road junction, where some of the groundwork has already been carried out.
Traffic lights on Hendry Road, Rosemount Avenue and Chapel Level will be removed and the junctions to all three will be merged to create one free-flowing roundabout.
Trees have already been removed from a wooded area nearby in preparation for the work, which will see Rosemount Avenue realigned to essentially become an extension of Barassie Drive leading down from Dunnikier Estate.
Hendry Road will be realigned to the west to accommodate the roundabout.
Two-way traffic will be maintained for the duration of the works to minimise disruption to road users, although motorists have been warned to expect delays at peak times.
Maps of the new road design and project updates are available to view online.