BAM Delivers a new Destiny for Perth
The New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge, a significant new transport infrastructure built by BAM, opened on 31st March 2025, helping to reduce congestion in Perth city centre. The opening was marked in a ceremony led by First Minister, John Swinney, Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Grant Laing, and local, athletics champion, Eilidh Doyle.
Known collectively as the Cross Tay Link Road project, Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway, are key elements of the Perth Transport Futures infrastructure project linking the A9, the A93 and the A94 by providing a crossing over the River Tay.
The project also includes a 12km active travel path network, connecting the neighbouring communities with Perth city centre and providing alternatives to vehicular traffic. The path network also connects a central hub at a new Park-and-Choose area, and incorporates a Green Bridge to separate active travel users and wildlife from the road.
Together, the active travel path network and improved transport infrastructure, will deliver on the project’s key priorities of reducing congestion and improving air quality in Perth city centre. To ensure the full potential of the project was met, Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, awarded a £40M funding contribution to Perth and Kinross Council in 2019.
Huw Jones, Executive Director, BAM Nuttall said:
“The opening of the Destiny Bridge today marks the culmination of a project which truly exhibits what BAM does best – delivering engineering solutions which improve people’s, lives with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.
“The Destiny Bridge and the associated Cross Tay Link Road improvements will have a lasting positive legacy for the people of Perthshire and beyond, improving connectivity, reducing pollution and offering sustainable transport options for visitors and residents alike.
“Once again, our team at BAM has demonstrated its ability to create exceptional infrastructure while going above and beyond for the local community and I’d like to thank everyone that has contributed for their input – I hope they will take enormous pride in this achievement.”
Alongside environmental benefits, the project has been heralded as forming a significant role in unlocking future development land and facilitating inward investment opportunities.
First Minister, John Swinney, commented, “The New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge will undoubtedly transform travel across the region, improving Perth’s already excellent interface with the trunk road network, and building on its enviable location and connectivity in the heart of Scotland.
“In doing so, it will unlock the economic potential of Perth, by opening up future development possibilities and maximising investment opportunities in key sectors.”
Enabling works on the project commenced in early 2022 following the appointment of main contractor, BAM UK & Ireland. As well as delivering the £150M project on time and on budget, the project team has also generated over £51M of social and economic value within the local area.
Councillor Grant Laing, Perth & Kinross Council Leader, commented, “As the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council, the opening of Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway marks a momentous achievement for all involved.
“I would like to offer thanks to the project team for their hard work and dedication; and to residents, particularly those in Stormontfield, Scone and Luncarty, for their patience and understanding during the build.
Councillor Laing continued, “As well as positively impacting on the environment and economy, during construction the project has created job opportunities and tackled local skills shortages through a robust outreach and training programme.
“It has also assisted in, and generated, several legacy projects including the Denmarkfield Allotments and Community Orchards, the new active travel path network and the Community Artwork project, all of which will bring enjoyment and health benefits for our Perth and Kinross residents for many years to come.”