Record levels of investment in significant transport infrastructure schemes across Scotland are supporting Scotland’s hard-pressed construction sector, John Swinney said today.

And a raft of schemes now coming to the market providing nearly £40 million of new investment, will help safeguard jobs and create new job opportunities.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said: “It’s imperative that this Government continues to invest in our transport infrastructure right across the country to help support economic growth and accelerate recovery. That’s why I’m delighted that significant progress is being made in bringing new transport schemes across the length and breadth of the country to the marketplace.

“Three more schemes worth tens of millions have in the last few days reached key milestones. Competition is now under way for the award of a contract worth some £20 million for an Intelligent Transport Scheme (ITS) to the north of the Forth Replacement Crossing. Tenders have been issued for a £8 million road improvement scheme in the south west on the A77 at Parkend – one of the key strategic routes to our ports. And in the north of the country, tenders have been issued for a £9 million road scheme on the A9 at Crubenmore – part of our commitment to dualling Scotland’s longest trunk road from Perth to Inverness.

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“These schemes form part of a strategic programme of public investment in transport infrastructure which will benefit the construction sector, help sustain economic recovery by safeguarding existing jobs and creating new ones, and provide essential transport links for businesses and communities alike.”

These announcements build on the recent investments in other major projects being developed across the country which are already in procurement.

The competition for the M9 junction 1a upgrade – another part of the Forth Replacement Crossing scheme - was launched last month. The works, which are expected to cost between £46 million and £65 million, are expected to start in July next year. Both this and the Fife ITS contract, formally announced to the marketplace last week, are elements of the economically vital FRC scheme but also significant contracts in their own right and demonstrate the Scottish Government’s determination to create as many opportunities for the construction sector as possible.

Work on the £235-295 million Borders Railway project took another leap forward in recent weeks with the announcement of the three world-class bidders who will compete for the contract to build and maintain the new railway which is due to open in 2014.

Other schemes reaching key milestones are A77 Symington to Bogend Toll with the publication of made orders last week. This scheme will provide grade separated junctions at Symington and Bogend on one of the key arteries which provide access to the ports of Cairnryan and Stranraer.

(GK)