Dundee’s weary eastbound commuters are in for a summer of discontent as work begins on the next phase of the multi-million-pound Waterfront Project.
The prospect of more traffic snarl-ups is bound to be greeted with dismay by drivers hit by recent closures on Arbroath Road and Broughty Ferry Road.
In a plea for patience, city development convener Will Dawson said the long-term gain from the essential work will be well worth any short-term inconvenience.
The £500,000 realignment of South Marketgait at its junction with Commercial Street will see all eastbound traffic barred from the section between the City Quay roundabout and East Marketgait for around three months.
For 12 weeks from the middle of June, eastbound traffic will be diverted around the inner ring road, via the West Port, Dudhope, Ladywell and East Port roundabouts, before rejoining the road at East Dock Street.
A Dundee City Council spokesman said the local authority is consulting locals who will be most affected by the roadworks.
“Letters and leaflets have been sent to local businesses and residents,” he said. “Any comments they make will be taken on board before work is due to begin on June 14.”
The realignment of South Marketgait “is fundamental to delivering the waterfront vision,” he added. The city will be open for business as usual during this important and high-profile stage of work.
“To ensure the safety of the public and workforce while construction is taking place, South Marketgait will be closed to eastbound traffic at City Quay roundabout. Drivers will be diverted via the inner ring road. To gain access to Commercial Street, Gellatly Street, Trades Lane and Dock Street, drivers must use Seagate.”
Mr Dawson said he appreciated the work would lead to delays on the roads but appealed for drivers to “bear with us”.
He said the realignment of South Marketgait is essential “in order to get where we want to be” in relation to the ambitious Waterfront Project, and in particular to the planners’ vision of an attractive boulevard area.
“The result will be quite spectacular once it’s been completed,” he said. “We know that what we are doing is going to cause some problems and I fully understand and appreciate people’s feelings, but the work is crucial and it will be completed as quickly as possible.”
The work is timed to take place during the summer holidays, when there tends to be less peak-time traffic on the roads than usual, he added.
The Waterfront Project was recently named one of the UK’s top 20 regeneration plans, boosted in part by the new V&A being sited on the river.