Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd has won a contract to investigate ground conditions for the A9 dualling scheme between Dalraddy and Slochd.

The deal is worth nearly £1 million and will see the contractor progress the £3 billion project for this 15 mile section of the route.

The five-week scheme is expected to begin early next year.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: "Building on the vital ground investigation work that has already taken place across the dualling programme this year, this latest ground investigation contract will take place along a very challenging part of the route totalling over 15 miles which includes the dramatic rockface at Slochd.

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"We hope to identify the preferred route for this section next year and these investigations will help inform the design work at the next stage.

"With design work for all the remaining dualling projects ongoing and the first section between Kincraig and Dalraddy due to be completed in summer 2017, we remain on target to complete this ambitious programme by 2025."

(LM/MH)