The Scottish Government has submitted a draft business case to upgrade the A75 to Westminster.
Both administrations have recognised the need to improve the Euroroute, with the villages of Springholm and Crocketford under particular focus.
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt allocated money for a feasibility study into upgrades in his autumn statement last year.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson challenged Scotland’s Transport Minister Kevin Stewart last week about what progress is being made.
Mr Stewart replied: “As Mr Carson is well aware, I have met United Kingdom ministers about the A75 to try to access funding from the union connectivity fund.
“A draft business case for the A75 has been submitted to the Department for Transport, and it includes a proposal to fund further design and development of options for the realignment of the A75, including around the villages of Springholm and Crocketford, which I know that Mr Carson has an interest in.
“I hope that the UK Government will respond positively and will hand over the resources that are required in order to get these works going.”
Both the Scottish Government’s second strategic transport review and the UK Government’s union connectivity review have identified the need to upgrade the road, with a recently published report claiming an improved A75 and A77 could boost the UK’s economy by £5 billion.
Mr Carson asked Mr Stewart when the delivery plan for the strategic transport review would be published, with Mr Stewart saying there was “significant action” being taken to “develop, deliver and invest in Scotland’s strategic transport infrastructure for the long term”.
“That shows once again the utter contempt that this Scottish Government displays, particularly towards the people of the south-west of Scotland. Despite the promises that have been made year after year, the spend on infrastructure projects in the south has been less than 0.5 per cent of the national infrastructure spend.”
