The Scottish Government has revealed details of a new major design contract as part of the £3 billion A9 Dualling Programme.

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) has been published for a £100 million scheme over a 9.5km section between Luncarty to Birnam.

Design work is continuing across the rest of the Perth – Inverness programme and work has started to identify contractors to carry out a series of advanced works across the entire route in preparation for future construction.

Public exhibitions are being held this week for residents to view the preferred routes for the 24 km Dalraddy to Slochd and the 16 km Crubenmore to Kincraig schemes.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: "The range of activity and work underway to deliver the A9 Dualling Programme is tangible evidence of our commitment to upgrade this important road linking central Scotland to the Highlands and Islands.

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"We remain on schedule to open the 7.5km stretch of upgraded road between Kincraig and Dalraddy this summer, bringing huge benefits to motorists using the A9.

"Further progress today also sees the publication of the Prior Information Notice for the next section to be dualled between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam, marking the first steps in the appointment of  a construction contractor to deliver this important scheme.

"And I am also delighted to see rapid progress being made to identify the preferred route for the entire programme. With two more sections of road totalling 40 km identified, over 90 per cent of the dualling programme has now reached preferred route status. I would encourage locals and road users to visit the exhibitions to view our plans."

The overall programme is scheduled for completion by 2025.

Details of the public exhibitions:

• Dalraddy to Slochd project; 12 noon to 8pm, Aviemore Community Centre, Muirton, Aviemore on Thursday, 02 March.

• Carrbridge Village Hall, Main Street, Carrbridge, 12 noon to 8pm on Friday, 03 March.

• Crubenmore to Kincraig project; 12 noon to 8pm, Newtonmore Village Hall, Main Street, Newtonmore, Wednesday 08 March.

• Talla Nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie, 11am to 7pm, Thursday, 09 March.

(LM/MH)