A £470m, mile-long tunnel along the A83 Rest and Be Thankful in the Highlands is now the preferred long-term solution to protect vehicles from landslips and falling rocks, the Scottish government has announced.
The ‘debris flow shelter’ will have one side open and, according to the government, is a recognised means of protecting transport infrastructure and its users in areas susceptible to debris flows or landslides.
The Minister for Transport, when the story broke, Kevin Stewart MSP, said: “At the same time as progressing the long-term solution, we are looking to increase the resilience of the temporary diversion route along the existing Old Military Road.
“The first phase of implementing the medium-term solution will begin later this year with realignment of the southern end of the route. This will increase resilience of the temporary diversion route by reducing the likelihood of closures due to flooding, meaning more certainty for locals and road users if the A83 has to shut due to adverse weather conditions.”
