A joint venture between Irish firms Wills Bros Civil Engineering and John Paul Construction is set to land the first major contract on the A9 Dualling Programme.
The £35 million deal for the 7.5km section of the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy includes widening this five mile stretch of single carriageway to full dual carriageway.
Transport Scotland confirmed the deal had saved the public purse £15 million.
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Keith Brown said, “The Scottish Government’s ambitious programme for the A9 between Perth to Inverness is now well underway with dualling set to start on this first section shortly and designs now at various stages along the route. The ground investigations due to start next month between Glen Garry and Dalraddy will also help inform the ongoing design work for the central section of the A9.
“We have been able to again make considerable savings on one of our infrastructure projects, following significant contract awards for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project and the AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty last year, due to our robust procurement process which ensures that all the efficiencies that can be put in place have been implemented.
“The improved road will provide overtaking opportunities in both directions, cutting the number of vehicle convoys and reducing driver frustration. It will also support businesses, communities and tourism throughout Scotland by improving access to and from the Highlands.”
It has also been confirmed that ground investigations work on the central section of the A9 between Glen Garry and Dalraddy is set to get underway soon with the intention to award the £1.1 million contract to Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd, also subject to a mandatory standstill period.
