BALFOUR Beatty is set to begin the ‘most extensive’ phase of Falkirk Council’s A9/A904 Westfield project.
The £54 million project will improve the infrastructure around the West Mains, Westfield, and Middlefield areas to enhance active travel options, unlock underdeveloped land, and act as a catalyst for the upcoming mixed-use Falkirk Gateway development.
Balfour Beatty has spent the past nine months completing essential groundwork, improving pedestrian safety at Earlsgate roundabout, and rerouting essential utilities. From now until spring 2025, the firm will focus on installing special platforms that will be on installing special platforms that will apply huge amounts of pressure to the ground to remove water from the soil to make the ground more stable – the land will then be left to settle for six months.
The firm will then turn its attention to traffic management on the A904. From autumn 2024 and until spring 2026, traffic on the existing A904 will be reduced to one lane in each direction to allow the newly built section of road to be joined to the existing carriageway.
Once complete, traffic will shift to the new carriageway and upgrades to the existing road will be carried out until early 2027, with the construction of a new roundabout at Westmains Industrial Estate will take place between early 2026 and early 2027 including the junction to Laurieston Road.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said, “By improving our roads and making them safer and more efficient, we are laying the groundwork for future growth and development. This project will open up significant economic opportunities for our community, attracting new businesses and encouraging investment. Supported by our TIF programme and UK Government funding, we are ensuring that this development does not burden the council’s revenue budget. It is a prime example of how strategic planning and collaboration can lead to long-term benefits for the entire council area.”
Graeme Dickie, operations director at Balfour Beatty, added, “As we move into the next phase of the A9/A904 Westfield project, it is good to see the progress we’ve made so far in delivering improved infrastructure for communities across the Forth Valley. By enhancing the roads in Falkirk, the project will enable future development opportunities in the area; boosting the local economy and delivering lasting benefits for generations to come.”
