Transport Scotland
The project will transform the existing six-mile single carriageway to a dual carriageway. Credit: Karsten Würth on Unsplash.

Transport Scotland has sought bidders for the next phase of the £115 million (160m) A9 Dualling programme, which will see the existing six-mile (9.6km) single carriageway between the south of Tomatin and the north of Moy being upgraded to a dual carriageway.

Located 13 miles south of Inverness, the six-mile road stretch is part of the Scottish Government’s £3bn programme to dual the A9 highway between Perth and Inverness.

Transport Scotland have today published the Made Orders for the scheme, which will result in nearly 20 miles of continuous dual carriageway when complete.

Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “It’s particularly pleasing to announce that the next phase of A9 Dualling will be the stretch between Tomatin to Moy.

“When complete, it will result in nearly 20 miles of continuous dual carriageway to the south of Inverness, allowing safer, more reliable and shorter journey times. More immediately, this investment will provide a vital boost to the construction industry as we support its recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The publication of the Made Orders for the scheme represents another milestone towards dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness, one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history.”

Once completed, the project would create nearly 20 miles of continuous dual carriageway in the south of Inverness.

Transport Scotland started the procurement of the construction contract with the publication of a Prior Information Notice today, and it is expected that the contract will be awarded in the second half of 2022. Meanwhile, ground investigation works, which are a key step towards construction, are planned to progress over the coming months, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Matheson said: “Although the design and development process has been somewhat protracted by the impacts of Covid-19, we are continuing to ensure that local communities have their chance to input to the final design.

“Market consultation is currently underway on the remainder of the programme. We expect this process to conclude in the summer.

“It is important to remember this is an incremental programme, which is already starting to deliver with the section between Kincraig and Dalraddy already complete and construction of the section between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam is well on target to be completed in the winter.”