Transport Scotland (TS) has announced the next step in the delivery of the A9 Dualling programme, as it outlines its intentions for procurement of the next section.

TS has published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project, alerting construction contractors and their supply chains to the next opportunity associated with the dualling programme.

The £155 million contract will be procured as a design and build contract using Transport Scotland’s new terms and conditions. The project involves upgrading approximately 5 miles (8.2km) of existing single carriageway, commencing just north of the Jubilee Bridge over the river Tay and ending at the southern end of the existing dual carriageway south of Ballinluig Junction.

The procurement for dualling the A9 between Tomatin and Moy is currently underway and award of that contract is expected, subject to no unforeseen circumstances, in early Summer this year, with construction starting on site shortly after.

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The contract award for the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project is planned for Summer 2025.

At present 35% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness is dual carriageway. Once operational, the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project will increase this proportion to 40%, expected by the end of 2027, and the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project will increase this proportion to 45%, expected by the end of 2028. Once construction of the Tomatin to Moy project starts, there will be no let up until dualling is completed between Perth and Inverness.

In advance of the appointment of the contractor for the dualling of the A9 between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig, a programme of advance works will be undertaken in the coming months to help reduce risks to the main construction contract. These works will involve a variety of activities including ground investigation, archaeological works, environmental mitigation and utility diversions.

Welcoming the progress of the scheme, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: "This Government is committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness and today’s publication of the Prior Information Notice for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project further demonstrates our commitment to the delivery plan we announced in December 2023, which aims to complete dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035. This step builds further momentum in our progress towards increased construction activity and is further tangible evidence of our commitment to completing the A9 Dualling programme.

"In addition to this positive announcement, we remain on track to award the contract for A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy in early Summer this year.

"We will deliver a safe, reliable, resilient and dualled A9 and we will ensure there is no let up on progressing the work of the Programme until then."