Transport minister Derek Mackay gave the thumbs up for the newly opened £9.2 million Pulpit Rock road scheme on Loch Lomondside, finally removing traffic lights on this section of the A82 for the first time in over thirty years.

The Minister said the new viaduct which now carries traffic over the shore of Loch Lomond was a “remarkable engineering achievement”.

Mr Mackay said: “The A82 is not only a vital lifeline for businesses and local communities but a very popular route for visitors to Scotland, and it’s why we have pumped £57m into the road’s upgrade and maintenance since 2007.

“Our multi-million schemes are improving journeys and the new viaduct at Pulpit Rock now takes traffic over Loch Lomond’s shoreline is both breathtaking and a significant engineering achievement. The viaduct enables the road to be widened to two way traffic and for traffic signals which have been there for over thirty years, to be removed and will be welcomed by local communities and road users.

“Elsewhere the new £5m bypass at Crianlarich which opened a few months ago, is also proving effective in diverting traffic away from the town, particularly strategic traffic needing to avoid the low rail bridge.

“We are also taking forward work to improve the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. This ten mile stretch of road which hugs Loch Lomond’s shoreline will be a challenge as we must strike a fine balance in seeking to meet the varying needs of road users and being sensitive to the world-renowned scenic beauty of the area. Design plans are expected to be published for the scheme this year.

“The £1.2m Glen Gloy improvement works to realign the road are expected to finish this month, and other schemes on the A82 worth £1.7m are underway from Stoneymollan in the south to Fort Augustus in the north – all underlining our commitment to this iconic route.”

Timelapse footage of the £9.2m Pulpit Rock viaduct construction on Loch Lomondside shows the main girder placement – these span between the main piers and support the concert deck which in turn carries the road.