Four of Europe's top construction companies are vying for the opportunity to build the £7.3 million stretch of new dual carriageway on the A75 between Cairntop and Barlae.

Balfour Beatty, Farrans, RJ Macleod and Graham Construction have been invited to participate in the first stage of the procurement process for the vital south-west Scotland scheme.

The project consists of providing a new 2.5km eastbound carriageway, with the existing A75 carriageway becoming the dedicated westbound carriageway, thus giving both eastbound and westbound road users dedicated and safe overtaking opportunities in each direction.

The new eastbound carriageway will be constructed in parallel with the existing carriageway, utilising the line of the dismantled railway and thereby minimising disruption to existing A75 traffic.

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The upgrade will improve traffic flow on the A75, which is one of the south west's key routes, providing connections from Gretna to Stranraer.

Michelle Rennie, Construction Project Director at Transport Scotland said: "Improving links to our key ports in the south-west of Scotland will bring significant economic and social benefits.

"It is vital that visitors - both commercial and tourists - recognise that Scotland is open for business and greater access to and from our ports at Stranraer and Loch Ryan will open up these important facilities to even more people.

"We look forward to engaging with the construction industry to identify a suitable partner for this design and build contract and we hope to move to construction as soon as is practical."

Road Orders for the scheme were published and objections determined by Scottish Ministers without the need for a Public Local Inquiry. Made Orders were published on 31 August 2007.

The tender process is expected to be completed by November 2009 and it is anticipated work can start on site in early 2010. Advance works will be carried out prior to this later this year.

The 159 kilometre long A75 is a main link for south west communities and businesses, carrying up to 6,900 vehicles a day.

It links Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Annan and Gretna. It also connects with the A77 and the A74/M74.

(GK/JM)