A multi-million pound contract notice for the A96 Dualling Programme has been announced by the Scottish Government.

The deal, worth up to £50m, covers approximately 29 miles of the western section of the A96 east of Auldean to east of Fochabers.

The contract follows an award earlier this year for a major design contract worth £30m for the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) section of the A96 dualling programme.

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Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown said: "This major contract marks a further milestone towards the dualling of the A96 with all the investment and improvements that will bring to the Highland's and north-east of Scotland.

"When this contract is awarded early next year, design work for the western section will step up a gear with route option assessment work getting  underway.

"This contract will also provide the successful bidders with steady work for years to come and many more opportunities for small and medium enterprises through subcontracted work, so it will be a boost for the local and national economy."

(LM)