The newly-upgraded M9 Junction 1A has been opened two months ahead of schedule and for £20m less than the original budget.

Minister for Transport Keith Brown officially opened the new junction; the second of three contracts required to deliver the 22km-long Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) scheme.

The upgrading was carried out to improve connections for traffic using the road network in West Lothian and to the north west of Edinburgh.

The completion of the £25.6m junction follows the upgraded M90 going live in Fife in December 2012.

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Mr Brown said: "Although a key part of the FRC project, it represents a significant improvement to Scotland’s road network in its own right. Completing M9 Junction 1A means drivers will now have much improved, motorway-standard connections between the current road bridge and the M9, improving accessibility to West Lothian and traffic coming from the south and west via the M8.

"Importantly, it should encourage drivers who currently use local roads to avoid congestion to use the improved junction and, in turn, relieve communities of the strategic traffic they regularly have to endure.

"The entire Forth Replacement Crossing scheme comprises nearly 14 miles of new or upgraded road. It was always more than just a bridge project and I’m delighted we have completed the road upgrades to the north and south of the Forth ahead of schedule so people can start to benefit from this vital project as early as possible."

(IT)