FIRST it was Shandwick Place, now drivers have been warned to brace themselves for big delays as the tram roadworks move on to the busy Gogar Roundabout later this month.
The four-week project will see four lanes on the north side of the roundabout reduced to two, with further lane closures on approach roads including the city bypass and A8 eastbound.
The work, which gets under way on July 28, is likely to hit commuters heading to the RBS Gogarburn Headquarters and Edinburgh Park, as well as those going to and from the city's airport.
Tram chiefs have also confirmed that a seven-month project to divert utilities at Haymarket will get under way on July 28, though the full traffic diversions will be put in over the following days.
The traffic diversions at Haymarket will be of a similar scale to those in place at Shandwick Place and will involve a series of diversions around the Haymarket junction's side streets.
The latest tram works come as drivers are already battling with roadworks across the city.
There are major tram works on Leith Walk and delays are also hitting motorists on the Seafield and Sheriffhall roundabouts
Driving groups today warned that the latest works will put extra strain on the city's congested roads during the busy holiday period.
Bruce Young, Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers, said: "Even at the best of times Gogar is close to breaking point, so God only knows what this will do.
"I think it will be appalling frankly, just because of the sheer volume of traffic which goes through the roundabout.
"Fortunately, the schools are still on holiday during August, but it is still the peak tourism period."
Enabling work for the Gogar project will get under way on July 21 in order to get the necessary traffic management measures and signs put in place.
The work at Gogar is to move and reinforce utility pipes ahead of a project to build a tunnel under the roundabout's underpass.
This will link the tram depot on the north side of the roundabout with the Gyle Shopping Centre and Edinburgh Park on the opposite side.
Keith Mackie, development manager at New Edinburgh Limited, owners of Edinburgh Park,
said: "As part of our green travel plan we encourage all our employees to use sustainable transport options where possible, and alternatives to private car travel are becoming increasingly important during the tramline construction to help avoid traffic congestion around Edinburgh Park."
The traffic diversions at Haymarket will be carried out in five different phases as works to move utilities progress.
Initially, all eastbound general traffic coming from Roseburn will be diverted around Eglinton Crescent, while eastbound bus services will avoid Haymarket on a diversion along Lansdowne Crescent and down Grosvenor Street.
The final phase will see West Maitland Street fully closed and all works will be completed by early next year.
Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of TIE, said: "Gogar is one of the gateways to the city. As such, we will ensure that any impact associated with these works is lessened by good planning and robust traffic management.
"We recognise that Edinburgh wants this work done quickly and safely. Our proposed methodology, alongside the traffic management measures, is the best way to achieve this."
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www.tramtime.comThe full article contains 565 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
