A major milestone in dualling Scotland’s most lethal trunk road will be reached next month.
A £1.3 million ground investigation contract is expected to be awarded in early March, getting dualling of the A9 under way in earnest.
When this contract gets started, it will be the first spade in the ground for the Scottish Government’s ambitious £3 billion programme to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
The A9 (pictured) has the unenviable reputation of being Scotland’s most dangerous road, having claimed more than 70 lives in the past decade, with the most recent fatal accident in January.
Work on the ground investigation contract should begin next month and last for four months.
Transport Minister Keith Brown hailed the progress on the project, saying: “Following the public exhibitions and useful feedback we received last December, work to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness is now being stepped up.
“These important ground investigations will give us the detailed information needed to progress the draft orders for Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section next year.
“They underpin the careful in-depth planning and design required for one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.”
Progress is also being made elsewhere on the A9 on the Kincraig to Dalraddy section.
Tenders for ground investigation work will be sought early next month and these works are expected to start later this year, paving the way for construction to start in 2015/16.
Mr Brown added: “It is further good news that we are starting the tender process for the ground investigation work on the Kincraig to Dalraddy section.
“When completed, the A9 dualling programme will bring benefits to road users, communities and businesses who live along or use this important route.”
The scale and complexity of the dualling scheme, along with extensive consultation with communities along the road, has dictated the timescale for the project.
Following the start of work on the Kincraig to Dalraddy section in 2015/16, construction should begin on the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section in 2017.