Sweco appointed as lead consultant on Scotland’s Cross Tay Link Road project

The UK division of one of Europe’s largest engineering, environment and design consultancies, Sweco has been appointed by Perth & Kinross Council as the lead consultant on the £113m (US$145m) Cross Tay Link Road project in Scotland.

Phase two of the four-phase Perth Transport Futures Project will include the realignment of a section of the A9 trunk road, the provision of a new bridge across the River Tay and railway line, the creation of a new grade separated junction on the A9, and a new 3.7 miles-long (6km) link road connecting the A9 with the A93 and A94.

The project will create a third crossing over the River Tay, which will enable the local authority to fulfil the aims of its development plan, improve air quality within the city, and reduce traffic congestion in the area. Design of the Cross Tay Link Road is due to be completed in mid-2019, with a planning application submitted later that year. If approved, construction is due to commence in 2021, and is expected to be completed in 2023.

The £3.5m (US$4.4m) contract will see Sweco’s Glasgow and Edinburgh offices deliver the project with support from the Swedish consultancy’s expertise across the UK, which will include infrastructure design, site investigations, drainage and flood assessments, public utility liaison and design, as well as environmental impact, archaeological, and ecological studies. The consultancy will also support Perth & Kinross Council through the planning application, and tendering and procurement process, and will remain involved in a project management and site supervision role until its conclusion.

“I am pleased that we have reached another milestone in this significant project,” noted Colin Stewart, convener of the Perth & Kinross Council’s environment, enterprise and infrastructure committee. “Phase 2 of the project will see the creation of a much needed third bridge over the River Tay, which will help to take the pressure off the city infrastructure, and improve traffic movement and air quality.”

Sweco UK’s operations manager, Chris Cardno, said, “We are very pleased to have been appointed as lead consultant on this project, which will deliver a wide range of benefits to Perth and the surrounding local area. This is a great opportunity for us to utilize our multi-disciplinary approach and UK-wide expertise to deliver another extremely important infrastructure project in Scotland.”