The dualling of one of Scotland’s most important roads took a major step forward as ground investigation works began on the A9 in Perthshire.
The upgrade of 80 miles of single carriageway road represents one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.
Costing a staggering £3 billion, the programme is expected to dual the A9 in its entirety between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
Road safety campaigners have long called for such a move in a bid to address the road’s death toll, which has seen 70 people lose their lives over the past decade alone.
Finance Secretary John Swinney visited the A9 yesterday to see at first hand the ground work needed to progress with the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section.
That stretch has seen some 24 accidents in the last four years, resulting in two deaths.
The initial works are expected to last for fourth months and will provide the Scottish Government and contractors with the information they need to start major construction in 2017.
Mr Swinney said: “This is a momentous moment as ground works get under way on this 80-mile upgrade.
“This will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history and I am delighted that the Scottish Government is delivering on this commitment to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
“As a clear signal of that commitment, we are hitting the ground running by starting the important ground investigations for one of the first sections to be dualled.”
The programme is expected to generate hundreds of jobs as it moves from design into procurement and then construction.
In addition to improving safety, the Scottish Government believes the dualling programme is “fundamental to delivering sustainable economic growth, supporting jobs and enabling businesses to grow”.
Mr Swinney added: “The sheer scale of this project means that it will require in-depth planning and design to ensure we deliver the right project at the right price and keep impacts on communities, business and the environment to the absolute minimum.”