TRANSPORT Scotland has announced its intention to award the construction contract for the next major section of the A9 dualling programme to Balfour Beatty.
The contract forms part of the £96 million project to dual the 9.5-kilometre stretch of A9 between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam.
Balfour Beatty was appointed from a shortlist of four bidders, which included Dragados SA, Wills Bros. Civil Engineering and a joint venture between Farrans Construction and Roadbridge. This marks the end of the procurement process which, subject to a mandatory standstill period, will conclude with the contract awarded in the coming weeks.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said, “This marks another significant milestone in the timeline of this major transport infrastructure project for Scotland to upgrade 80 miles of single carriageway between Perth and Inverness.
“This investment will vastly improve connectivity between the Highlands and Islands and Scotland’s central belt, delivering far reaching benefits to the wider Scottish economy.”
He continued, “The dualling of the A9 will create hundreds of new jobs throughout the construction phases which will leave a lasting legacy of a highly skilled workforce, bolstering Scotland’s construction industry. The project will also act as a catalyst to attract significant inward investment and stimulate continued growth of our business communities, especially the tourism industry along this key route.”
The Transport Secretary added that the Scottish Government is “committed” to delivering the £3 billion project by 2025.
Hector MacAulay, Balfour Beatty managing director for Scotland said the contractor was “delighted” to be part of the programme.
In addition to the construction of 9.5-kilometres of new dual carriageway, the construction of the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam section will involve four new overbridges to maintain local access across the A9, along with the widening of one existing underbridge and the provision of a new side road bridge.
