Transport chiefs have announced details of the next £10 million stage of their A9 dualling project.
An extensive package of advance works – prior to main construction – will soon begin on the busy Inverness to Perth stretch.
This will take place over four years and involve site clearance, property demolition and building access tracks, lay-bys, fencing, signage, drainage and piling.
Contractors are expected to be appointed onto the framework in November, shortly before work starts.
Successful bidders will be able to join one or more of three lots which include civil engineering works up to £250,000, civil engineering works between £250,000 and £2 million and piling work up to £350,000.
Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, said: “This framework contract marks another major milestone in delivering the A9 Dualling Programme.
“Preparing the route in advance of the main construction work will enable the main contractors to hit the ground running – ensuring everything that can be done is being done.
“This contract underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment and continued significant investment towards ensuring that road users and the communities along the A9 get the 21st Century road network they rightly deserve, which when completed will bring faster journey times, better journey time, reliability and road safety improvements.”
Industry partners were able to hear more about upcoming contract opportunities for the A9 dualling scheme at a recent industry day in Perth.
The project is one of Scotland’s largest transport infrastructure programmes and aims to upgrade 80 miles of single carriageway between Perth and Inverness.
It has a budget of £3 billion and is on schedule for completion in 2025.
The main work will be undertaken in 11 stages, each requiring major pre-construction works and planning to evaluate how it will fit into the landscape.
Consultations on the best possible solutions are still ongoing with communities along the route.
Engineers were drafted in to investigate rocky outcrops in Highland Perthshire. An examination of rugged land between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry was carried out in May.
