The new A75 Dunragit Bypass is due to open to road users from today (31 March).

The opening represents a significant milestone in the £17.1m project.

The early switching of traffic will enable road users to use the new 5.3km Dunragit bypass and will remove strategic traffic from Dunragit village. It will also help them avoid the height restrictions at the Challoch railway bridge.

In order to complete works on the new bypass, some traffic management measures including temporary traffic signals will initially be present. These are expected to be removed towards the end of April, when they new bypass will be fully operational. Once fully open, Transport Scotland has said it will provide guaranteed overtaking opportunities in both the east and westbound directions, with shared facilities for cyclists and pedestrians in places.

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Transport Scotland's Project Manager for the scheme, John Quail, said: "This early switch of traffic onto the new Bypass will bring immediate benefits by taking trunk road traffic away from the Village and the Challoch rail overbridge thereby reducing the likelihood of bridge strikes, which cause lengthy diversions and delays to journey times.

"On completion and when fully open, the new Bypass will improve journey time reliability, reduce driver frustration and vehicle platoons, as well as, deliver value for money.

"The new Bypass is essential to providing economic prosperity for businesses, the leisure and tourism industries, and communities along the length of this vital road and for Scotland as a whole by improving connectivity through the south of Scotland."

A completion date of summer 2014 has been given for the project.

(JP)