The full scale of the roads misery facing motorists travelling through Perth and Kinross in the coming weeks has become clear.
Three major projects are now under way on the region’s main routes, with the M90 and A9 affected – the latter on two separate stretches.
The upheaval will see drivers travelling between the central belt and Highlands face three sets of significant roadworks within less than 40 miles.
Transport Scotland, which is leading much of the work, has pledged to work with its partners to minimise disruption to road users.
Nonetheless, speed restrictions, temporary traffic lights and lane closures will be a feature of the experience for those travelling through the region throughout much of March and April.
Commuters experienced significant delays on the Perth bypass, between the busy Inveralmond and Broxden roundabouts where works to create a new junction on the A9 along with a link road to the Berth Park development have escalated.
BEAR Scotland crews have been providing regular road reports during the works, with ten to 15 minute delays common.
On the A9 north of Perth, ground investigations have now begun on a section of the road between the proposed Tay Crossing and Ballinluig.
The works – part of the £3 billion dualling project – are expected to take six weeks to complete and will pave the way for the stretch to be dualled in its entirety.
Transport Scotland said: “We apologise for any inconvenience these works will cause and thank road users and local communities for their patience over the next few weeks.
“The contractor will closely monitor the operation of the traffic management measures to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum.”
Though the majority of the preparatory works are taking place by the side of the existing road, traffic management measures are required to allow that to take place safely.
As a result, short single-file sections controlled by temporary traffic signals will be in use for the duration of the works.
In Kinross-shire, meanwhile, the latest carriageway repairs have seen reduced speed limits and lane changes restrictions.
That has already been the cause of delays at peak times, though road users reported that traffic remained steady if heavy at other times.
The work, which will include repairs to the central reservation, is expected to last for three weeks and is taking place over a mile or so between junctions seven and eight.
It is the latest in a series of projects to be undertaken in Kinross-shire, where the quality of the M90’s surface had been a cause for concern for many years.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent on the belated improvements, with Transport Scotland investing £680,000 in the latest phase alone.
