Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update - March 2022

Sector: Transport

Project: A77 Maybole Bypass

Business case approved stages: The Outline Business Case (OBC) outlined that the total project cost was £43 million, of which the contract value was estimated at £30 million. It was expected that the project would be operational in 2020. The Full Business Case (FBC) outlines that the total project cost was £46 million with a contract value of £28.9 million, with an expected operational date of summer 2021, subject to any unforeseen circumstances such as exceptionally adverse weather (as stated in March 2020 report).

Progress at September 2021: No change to cost since the last report.

The main works construction contract is progressing and project completion is anticipated in winter 2021 (as stated in September 2020 report).

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

The project opened to traffic on 31 January 2022 with the contractor remaining on site to undertake necessary finishing, snagging and seasonal landscaping works.

Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot

Project: A92/A96 Haudagain Junction Improvement

Business case approved stages: The OBC outlined that the total project cost was £49.5 million, of which the contract value was £21 million (note that a significant proportion of the total cost was related to acquisition and demolition). It was expected that the project would be operational in 2020. The FBC outlined that the total project is £49.5 million, of which the contract value was £18 million. It was expected that the project would be operational in 2021 subject to any unforeseen circumstances such as exceptionally adverse weather (as stated in March 2019 report).

Progress at September 2021: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

The main works construction contract is progressing and project completion is anticipated in winter 2021 (as stated in September 2020 report).

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost since the last report.

The project opened to traffic in May 2022. This is later than previously reported due to adverse weather, including a number of high profile named storms in addition to cold temperatures that prevented programme critical road surfacing works being progressed. This was compounded by ongoing disruption to the workforce as a result of COVID-19 and continued supply chain issues. The project will deliver benefits for the local community and road users by reducing congestion, improving journey time reliability as well as providing a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot

Project: A9 Luncarty to Pass of Birnam

Business case approved stages: The OBC outlined that the total project cost was £103.6 million, of which the contract value was anticipated to be £70 million. It was expected that the project would be operational in 2020.

The FBC outlined that the total project cost was £96 million with a contract value of £62 million including risk and contingency. It was expected that the project would be operational in 2021 subject to any unforeseen circumstances such as exceptionally adverse weather (as stated in September 2018 report).

Progress at September 2021: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

The project was opened to traffic in August 2021 and remains in construction as the contractor will continue with finishing and landscaping works until completion, which is anticipated in winter 2021.

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

The project opened to traffic in August 2021 and was completed in December 2021. The contractor remains responsible under the contract for the maintenance of a number of elements of the works and for any defect liabilities for the constructed works until 2026.

Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot

Project: A9 Dualling Tomatin to Moy

Business case approved stages: Third project phase of A9 Dualling programme involves approximately six miles (9.6km) of online widening of existing single carriageway to an all-purpose dual carriageway, extending from existing dual carriageways to the south of Tomatin and to the north of Moy.

The OBC outlined that the project was estimated to cost £197 million and planned to be operational in December 2025.

Progress at September 2021: The project is currently in procurement with construction estimated to commence December 2022.

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

Contact for public enquiries: email: info@transport.gov.scot

Project: Reston and East Linton Rail Stations

Business case approved stages: Delivery of two new fully accessible Rail Stations with car parks (Reston Station in the Scottish Borders and East Linton Station in East Lothian).

The OBC outlined that project was estimated to cost £35 million and that it is planned to be operational in December 2022.

The FBC outlines that the overall project is estimated to cost £35 million and planned to be to be complete by March 2024.

Progress at September 2021: The project is in construction and progressing as per programme.

Construction of Reston Station is underway and approaching completion with the Station planned to become operational in March 2022.

Construction of East Linton Station is due to commence in November 2021, with the Station planned to become operational in December 2022. We anticipate commencing the final FBC shortly following the recent granting of the planning consent for building East Linton Station.

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost since the last report.

The FBC outlines that the overall project is estimated to cost £35 million and that it is planned to be operational in Summer 2023.

Construction of Reston Station is now complete with the station entering service in May 2022. This is later than previously reported and is due to the impact of COVID-19 and delays experienced during the project construction phase. Construction of East Linton Station commenced in November 2021 and the station is planned to become operational by March 2024. This is later than previously reported and is due to the alignment of the project entry into service with closure works to Markle Level Crossing.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Alastair.camelford@transport.gov.scot

Project: East Kilbride Rail Enhancement

Business case approved stages: Project is part of the East Kilbride and Barrhead Rail Enhancement scheme. The scheme will make rail services reliable, efficient and attractive to passengers and support modal shift whilst progressing against the Scottish Government’s target to decarbonising the rail network.

The OBC outlined that total project cost was estimated to be £100 million to £120 million and that it is estimated to be operational December 2024.

Progress at September 2021: The project is progressing to programme and estimated to commence construction in July 2022.

Progress at March 2022: The total project cost is now estimated at £111 million to £124 million which is an increase from that at OBC and as previously reported. This is due to the scope being changed and Network Rail providing an updated estimate which includes the additional scope. The construction start date is now later than previously reported which is subject to review due to the additional scope. The operational date however the remains as that at OBC as previously reported.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Rhona.proctor@transport.gov.scot

Project: Levenmouth Rail project

Business case approved stages: Scheme will re-open the disused rail line between Thornton junction and Leven in Fife, providing new passenger rail services to connect the Levenmouth area to Fife, Edinburgh, and the wider rail network. The OBC was predicated on a project cost estimate of £70 million and it is estimated to be operational by December 2023. The FBC was predicated on an anticipated final cost of £116 million and an estimated operational date of spring 2024.

Progress at September 2021: Network Rail has continued to progress the detailed design work of a double track for the Levenmouth rail line. The design will deliver the provision of a two train per hour passenger service, 50mph double tracked railway and two new modern accessible stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven.

The project design will continue to be developed to FBC and further details will be provided at that stage.

Progress at March 2022: The FBC was approved on 14 December 2021 and project is now in construction. FBC approval was predicated on an anticipated final cost of £116 million and an estimated operational date of spring 2024. The FBC cost is an increase from that at OBC and reflects the revised cost and scope which has been expanded to include substantial additional investment which will realise significant further opportunities and benefits such as electrification and active travel options. It will maximise the economic and social benefits for the local area and also allow the potential for freight and tourism to be explored construction site.

The FBC operational date is later than that at OBC. This is due to the December 2023 date for the introduction of passenger services being indicative and predicated on the project scope announced in 2019. Since the project was announced in 2019, the scope has been expanded to include substantial additional investment which will realise significant further opportunities and benefits for the Levenmouth economic area. Transport Scotland and Network Rail are working closely with their industry partners to deliver this transformational project by spring 2024.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Keavy.o'neill@transport.gov.scot

Project: Inverness Airport Station (formerly called Dalcross Station)

Business case approved stages: Project will provide a greener method for people to travel to Inverness Airport and help to enable transition to Net Zero Emissions and Environmental Sustainability. The FBC outlined that the project was estimated to cost £39.6 million and that it is planned to be operational in December 2022.

Progress at September 2021: The project commenced construction in October 2021 and is progressing to programme.

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

Contact for public enquiries: email: darius.astell@transport.gov.scot

Project: Barrhead Rail Enhancement

Business case approved stages: Project is part of the East Kilbride and Barrhead Rail Enhancement scheme. This scheme is to decarbonise the corridors and to provide improved access to the rail network for the communities along these corridors. The scheme will make rail services reliable, efficient and attractive to passengers and support modal shift whilst progressing against Scottish Government’s target to decarbonising the rail network.

The FBC outlined that the total project cost was estimated to be £63 million and planned to be operational in December 2023.

Progress at September 2021: The FBC was approved on 7 September 2021. The project is estimated to commence construction in April 2022 and is progressing to programme.

Progress at March 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

The project commenced construction in April 2022 and is progressing to programme.

Contact for public enquiries: email: Rhona.proctor@transport.gov.scot

Project: CMAL - Two new 100 metre ferries

Business case approved stages: Procurement commenced and Pre-Qualification Questionnaires were issued by CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) on 15 October 2014 with tender returns on 31 March 2015 and the Preferred Bidder announced on 31 August 2015.

The contract worth £97 million to build the two 100m ‘dual-fuel’ ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) was awarded on 16 October 2015. The first ferry was expected to be delivered in May 2018 with the second vessel following a few months later.

Progress at September 2021: No change to cost since last report.

The total estimated cost to complete the ferries remains at between £110.3 million and £114.4 million. The total additional public expenditure over and above the original contract price remains at between £94.8 million and £98.8 million.

The delivery of 801 is now scheduled to be between July 2022 and September 2022. The delivery of 802 is now scheduled to be between April 2023 and July 2023. This is later than previously reported. A shortfall in skilled labour and COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in a delay of approximately 15 weeks.

Progress at March 2022: The total estimated cost is now between a range of £119 million and £123 million. This is an increase in that previously reported and is due to a legacy cabling issue and revised delivery programme. The total additional public expenditure over and above the original contract price is now between £105.3 million and £109.3 million.

The delivery of 801 is now scheduled to be between March 2023 and May 2023 and the delivery of 802 is now scheduled to be between October 2023 and December 2023. This is later than that previously reported and is due to the significant overhaul of the delivery programme undertaken in February 2022 to take into account the impact of the legacy cabling issue.

Contact for public enquiries: email: alistair.thomson@transport.gov.scot