Communities using the A9 are being given the opportunity to have a first look at the proposed dualling designs through a series of public exhibitions.

The exhibitions, which will take place in a number of venues over the next two weeks, will provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to have their say on a number of assessments carried out to date.

As well as the A9 plans, attendees will also be able to view:

• The initial design for a new underpass at Crubenmore
• The preferred route for two A9 dualling sections – Luncarty to Pass of Birnam and Kincraig to Dalraddy
• The design work for the challenging Birnam to Tay Crossing section

The exhibitions also mark the start of the consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the A9 dualling programme.

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Discussing the scheme, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Dualling the A9 has been talked about for a generation but now communities the length of the route can see a vision of the future as these plans go on public display.

"The benefits of a fully dualled A9 are clear - communities and businesses who live along or use this important route will see faster journey times, better journey time reliability and road safety improvements.

"That is why a substantial amount of work has already been taken forward since we set out our ambitious strategy for the £3 billion programme last June, the first Government ever to do so.

"Along the length of the route, preliminary detailed engineering and environmental assessments have allowed us to develop a potential 200 metre wide 'corridor' along the line of the existing A9. In addition, 25 possible locations for flyover junctions have also been identified.

"A further positive outcome is the confirmation of a suitable location for an underpass at Crubenmore for walkers, cyclists and equestrians. I am delighted that we will be able to publish draft Orders in 2014, with a view to construction starting in 2017 once the SSE pylon line has been removed."

Mr Brown added that design work was also progressing on three dualling schemes with the preferred routes on show for two of the sections – Luncarty to Pass of Birnam and Kincraig to Dalraddy – with hopes that work would start on the latter scheme in 2015/16 and in 2017 for the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam scheme.

(JP/CD)