BALFOUR Beatty has commenced work on Falkirk Council’s ‘transformative’ A9/A904 Westfield infrastructure improvement project.
The first phase will involve preparatory work including establishing a compound on the former Met-Tech site in Westmains Industrial Estate.
The site compound will house offices, facilities for workers, and the heavy plant machinery needed to deliver the project, which aims to unlock economic benefits including the £100 million Gateway development project.
Later in the year, Balfour Beatty will resurface Earlsgate Roundabout and upgrade the existing traffic lights to an ‘intelligent’ system to further improve traffic flow.
Following full contract award from Falkirk Council, expected later this year, the main phase of construction work will get underway in early 2024. This will see the creation of dual carriageways, the removal of Midthorn Bridge, construction of a new roundabout at the West Mains/Laurieston Road junction, and installation of crossing signals at Westfield roundabout. A new roundabout will also be built on the A9 next to the Helix, providing access to the proposed Gateway development.
Throughout the 28-month contract, Balfour Beatty will work with the council’s employment and training unit to fulfil its commitment to create job and training opportunities for people living in the Falkirk Council area. This includes three new Modern Apprenticeships and, of the 28 people directly employed by the firm on site, eight will be newly created roles for local people.
Balfour Beatty will also deliver environmental benefits, planting over 1,700 trees, 9,000 hedgerow plants, 7,500 mix plants and 5,000 reed plants.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said, “Having Balfour Beatty begin work so quickly after council agreed to award the company the contract not only highlights our commitment to move this project on at pace but also underpins our drive to enhance the area’s attractiveness to businesses and visitors. By embarking on this major project, we will stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities for local people, and ultimately improve the lives of those living in the area.”
Hector MacAulay MBE, MD of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, added, “We are delighted to be working with Falkirk Council to commence the preparatory works required for the A9/A904 improvement project which on completion, will significantly improve travel for the local community. Our proven capabilities in delivering complex infrastructure schemes combined with our in-depth local knowledge, makes us well placed to deliver this transformational scheme and we look forward to works commencing in earnest next year.”
