A second large design contract for the A9 dualling programme has been awarded, Transport Scotland has confirmed. Each of the three designs is estimated to be worth between £40m and £60m.

This contract, which will see the 32-mile stretch of the A9 between the Pass of Burnam and Glen Garry dualled, has been awarded to Jacobs.

Welcoming the announcement, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "I am proud that I am part of the only government to commit to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness. This second major contract is another step forward for this mammoth project, and underlines our determination to bring forward benefits to road users as soon as we can.

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"This multi-million pound investment also complements other work being progressed on the ground to improve the safety and performance of the A9, with the installation of average speed cameras for implementation this October and ground investigation work is also progressing well on the Kincraig-Dalraddy scheme, which we expect to begin construction in 2015/16.

"The Scottish Government wants to see improvements delivered as soon as possible and we are doing everything possible to bring forward elements of the scheme. We remain on track to deliver half of the 80 miles of new upgraded road by 2022, with completion expected by 2025."

Subject to the mandatory standstill period, Jacobs is expected to start work on the route in September.

The final design contract, to dual the A9 between Dalraddy and Inverness, will be awarded later this year.

(JP/IT)