The Highland Council has begun the next phase in the development of the new £27.2m Inverness West Link Road project.

Following the appointment of Capita Symonds to assist the Council’s Project Design Unit in providing civil engineering and supporting services, the Council has awarded a contract for ground investigation works to Holequest Ltd, Galashiels.

The works are due to get under way soon and will be undertaken in two phases.

Phase 1 will see trial pitting and boreholes and will be completed in January 2013. Phase 2 will see boreholes on pier locations at the new bridge over the River Ness.

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The Highland Council says Capita Symonds have made progress with developing the road design.

Details of this will be displayed on the Council’s project website.

The new road is being constructed to connect the Southern Distributor Road at Dores Road with the A82 Trunk Road at Torvean.

It will include a new crossing of the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal.

The Council says the outcomes of the recent charrette and land use strategy will be integrated with the revised road network in this area.

The new road is also being built under consideration of enhancing recreational facilities such as cycling and walking routes.

The commission for this stage will take about twelve months and will precede the publication of Orders and submission of a planning application.

The work on the road will take place in 2 stages. The first stage will cross the River Ness and link the Dores Road Roundabout with the A82 Trunk Road, while the second stage will provide for the tandem crossing of the Caledonian Canal at Torvean.

(IT/GK)