Drivers on the A9 faced significant disruptions recently due to two separate accidents and planned roadworks, which are set to impact traffic flow over the coming weeks.
The first incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, December 19, 2024, when emergency services responded to a collision between two vehicles on the A9 road. The crash took place around 6.10 pm between Brora and Golspie, leading to both northbound and southbound carriageways being closed. The road was finally reopened just before 9 am on Friday, December 20, after more than 12 hours of closure.
It remains unclear whether there were any injuries resulting from this collision. According to a spokesperson from Police Scotland, “The A9 between Brora and Golspie at Doll has re-opened following a crash involving two vehicles, which was reported around 6.10 pm on Thursday, December 19, 2024.”
Shortly after this incident, the A9 also experienced another setback due to a one-vehicle crash near Inverness. This accident was reported around 2 am on Friday, triggering the complete closure of the southbound lane between the A96 on-slip close to the Kessock Bridge and the Milton of Leys junction at the top of Drumossie Brae. This section has remained closed for almost eight hours, leading police to advise drivers to steer clear of the area.
Traffic Scotland provided updates on the situation, stating, “The A9 southbound is currently CLOSED just south of Raigmore due to an earlier collision. There’s NO access to the A9 southbound from the Raigmore interchange. There’s no major delays so far.” They noted there was also a 15-minute westbound diversion available for drivers.
While these crashes have created immediate challenges for commuters, there’s more to come for drivers planning to use the A9 soon. Transport Scotland has issued warnings about planned nighttime roadworks expected to last for two weeks, beginning January 6, 2025. This will involve the implementation of temporary traffic signals between Moy and Tomatin, just south of Inverness. These signals will operate five nights per week between 7.30 pm and 6.00 am, allowing for safe clearance and access for construction works. Importantly, no work will be undertaken on Friday and Saturday nights, ensuring reduced inconvenience on weekends.
The spokesman from Transport Scotland commented, “These temporary traffic measures are necessary to assure road user and road worker safety and to safely manage traffic whilst work is undertaken.” Motorists are advised to be cautious when approaching the area and to allow extra time for their journeys during this anticipated disruption.
Drivers using the A9 are also encouraged to stay informed about possible changes to the traffic management due to weather conditions, as the planned measures are weather dependent. They can find real-time updates on the Traffic Scotland website to avoid unexpected delays.
Given the recent accidents and roadwork alerts, it’s clear the A9 road will require careful navigation over the next few weeks. Remaining vigilant and well-informed can help travelers mitigate inconveniences as they head out during this busy travel season.
