Transport Scotland has announced the shortlist of companies being invited to bid for three significant A9 design contracts.

Eight design consultancies, or joint ventures, have made the shortlist for the A9 Dualling contracts.

They are:

• AECOM/Mott MacDonald

• Arup

• Atkins/Mouchel

• Capita

• C2MHill/Fairhurst

• Jacobs

• URS

• WSP/Ramboll/Fehily Timoney.

Invitations to tender for the contracts, each worth in the region of £40-60m, are expected to be issued next month.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The A9 Dualling Programme is the most expensive transport project in Scotland's history and presents some of the most challenging work ever witnessed.

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"Some very complex and demanding challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, but given our track record on other major projects we are confident of delivery on time and on budget. It shouldn't be forgotten that this is the first time any government has committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness, the biggest transport project, by cost, in Scotland's history, and one that will exceed the cost of the M74, Queensferry Crossing, and AWPR combined.

"The strength and expertise of these bidders, including some of the UK's biggest design consultancies, is testament to the recognition that this ambitious project has in the engineering consultancy market.

"These three large contracts offer the prospect of steady work for the next 12 years for the three successful bidders. They will also offer many opportunities for small and medium enterprises through sub-consultancy work."

The national transport agency also announced that the contract notice for important ground investigation work on the challenging Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the route would be published early next month.

(JP/CD)