The civil engineering industry is to receive a boost through the opportunity to bid for three substantial Scottish Government-funded design contracts.

Transport Scotland has published its Prior Information Notice for the design work on the A9 dualling project, signalling the start of procurement.

Three separate contracts are on offer, each with a value of £40m to £60m and will cover the A9 between Perth and Inverness. The actual area covered by each contract is to be determined during the procurement process.

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Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This £3 billion complex and challenging programme will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history. The sheer scale, 80 miles of dual carriageway, makes it good business and value for money to split this design work into three large sections.

"The start of procurement for the detailed design work is a clear indication of our commitment to this project. These contracts will provide steady work for the next 12 years for the three successful bidders – providing much needed certainty and helping to secure jobs. In addition, these commissions are likely to offer many opportunities for small and medium enterprises through sub-consultancy work."

Transport Scotland will engage with the consulting engineering industry, ahead of issuing the OJEU notice in the summer, seeking expressions of interest from companies wishing to tender.

(JP/H)