Major construction works have officially commenced on the £185 million Tomatin to Moy section of the A9 Dualling Programme, marking a significant step forward in the Scottish Government's delivery plan. Contractor Balfour Beatty is now undertaking substantial works on the third section of the programme, while momentum also builds elsewhere with the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the fifth section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie.

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, formally opened the site compound and offices on Wednesday, 30 April. During her visit, Ms Hyslop observed initial major works, including the complex task of realigning the Dalmagarry burn, which requires careful environmental mitigation measures to protect local wildlife, including water voles, following consultation with stakeholders.

The dualling works between Tomatin and Moy are extensive and involve:

• Moving approximately 1,000,000 cubic metres of material (excluding topsoil)

• Laying 32,000 tonnes of pavement surfacing

• Constructing four major structures: Tomatin Junction Underpass, Dalmagarry Bridge, Moy Bridge, and Lynbeg Junction underpass

• Creating 10 km of new and improved non-motorised user routes

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• Installing 41 culverts

Alongside the physical construction, the contract includes delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits through the A9 Dualling's Social Value Programme. Ms Hyslop met two Balfour Beatty graduates gaining experience on site and attended a 'Bridge to Schools' event where pupils from Strathdearn Primary School learned about engineering principles by constructing a 13-metre cable-stayed bridge.

Ms Hyslop commented: "I am delighted that this major milestone in our A9 dualling programme has been reached. The scale of the work being undertaken on the Tomatin to Moy section is significant and it was good to see how planning has already been undertaken to address the variety of engineering challenges and to prepare the earthworks required to complete this vital project."

She added: "It was great to hear about the benefits being gleaned by the graduates working on the site... Seeing local primary school children benefitting from our investment today has illustrated the impact that major investment can have on our young people... This tangible progress, alongside the publication of the PIN notice for the fifth section between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie illustrates the real momentum taking place along the A9 corridor as we move forward with our delivery plan which will see the A9 between Perth and Inverness fully dualled by 2035."

Transport Scotland's Team Leader for the project, Stuart Baird, said: "We are pleased to see construction beginning in earnest, and we are working closely with our contractors, Balfour Beatty to minimise disruption to road users as far as possible. I want to thank road users and the local community and businesses for their patience whilst these vital works are undertaken."The publication of the PIN for the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie section signals the upcoming procurement opportunity for contractors and their supply chains. Transport Scotland confirmed it remains on track for the next milestones, including issuing the contract notice for Pitlochry to Killiecrankie and awarding the contract for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section in the coming months.

The overall A9 Dualling programme aims to enhance safety, improve journey time reliability, provide safer overtaking opportunities, and reduce driver stress along the key route between Perth and Inverness.