Eleven options for the future of the Rest and Be Thankful are being considered, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has said.
Engineers are still working to reopen the main A83, while a petition calling for a tunnel has been launched.
The trunk road has been closed since August 5 after a huge landslide which saw boulders the size of cars falling down Glen Croe.
And today Transport Scotland, which is responsible for the road, issued a statement after Mr Matheson met members of the community and local elected representatives at a meeting of the A83 taskforce.
“I understand the frustration and disruption that landslips at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful bring for local communities and drivers,” he said.
“While our previous investment in catch pits has helped keep the road open for an estimated 48 days when it would otherwise have closed, I realise people are looking for a long term solution to dealing with landslips at the site.
“I have instructed officials at Transport Scotland to accelerate our work to consider alternative infrastructure options for the A83.
“A dedicated team will be established to do a more detailed assessment, in parallel with the Strategic Transport Projects Review.
“Stakeholders will be involved in this process and we will publish recommendations for a preferred corridor in Spring 2021.
“In the meantime, work will continue on the next catch pit and we will continue to consider further catch pits at the site. A new geotechnical survey of the hillside will also be carried out to build on the previous work that has been done.
“This work underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to continued work with key stakeholders to ensure that Argyll and Bute remains open for business.”
Recommendations for ‘a preferred route corridor with alignment option’ are now expected, next spring, while work on the next phase of catch pits will start in September.
The single track Old Military Road alternative route is still open, and BEAR Scotland engineers are pouring concrete for a new retaining wall which has been constructed to support the A83 carriageway above a new steep sided channel formed by the landslip earlier this month.
A temporary catch-pit is also being created.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative said: “Teams are progressing with repairs on the A83 which will stabilise the road after it was undermined and badly damaged in the landslip earlier this month.
“Today teams have been able to pour the concrete into the newly constructed retaining wall which has been anchored into the ground to provide a solid foundation and support for the road and embankment following the landslip.
“ngineers will continue with the repairs 24/7 should weather conditions continue to allow.
“The Old Military Road has been operating well and we’re closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure it is safe for use. We’re intending to keep it open overnight into Thursday and will continue to assess the route on a daily basis.”
An online petition started by Jane Ireland already has more than 2,000 signatures.
It calls on Argyll and Bute MSP Mike Russell: “To provide the people in Argyll and Bute a safe and regular passage through the Rest and be Thankful. To raise awareness of the dangers daily commuters face.
“A tunnel, as happens all over the world could be implemented. This would allow safe passage along the A83.
“To allow daily movement for the individual, business, visitors, all people who wish to access Argyll and Bute via the A83.”
The petition states that a 3.9km single bore tunnel would cost £261m based on projects in Norway.
£261 million lol now how will this money be found? A&B council can’t keep public toilets open, bin collection down to once every 3 weeks and weeds growing in the square. Another dedicated team another waste of our money. When will this council ever learn and when will they ever listen? It would be interesting to see how much the use of the old military road is costing the council? Because if I remember rightly it belongs to the land owner.
I am sure the people in Lochgoilhead will be delighted with a tunnel having still to use the old road. As for catch pits yes they work but you still have to close the road to empty them. Surely the alpine half tunnel is the best system it blends into the hill side and once built no maintenance
Build a roof over existing road,strong enough to take any landslip as in Italy,Austria,France its not difficult just expensive.q