The ground investigation work is expected to begin later this month and take around 12 weeks to complete. There will be no work over the Christmas and New Year period.

Cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, Keith Brown, said: “The A9 Dualling programme between Perth and Inverness is one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history and building on the vital ground investigation work over the summer, this latest ground investigation contract will help inform the design work for two of the sections to be dualled on the central section of the route, totalling over 12 miles.

“We are also pressing ahead with the design work for the programme and are holding a series of public engagement events over the next few weeks to let locals and road users view our proposals.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest to come along to the exhibitions to view our plans and comment on them.

“Hand-in-hand with the design work, we are continuing the construction works with the first stretch of new road in the programme between Kincraig and Dalraddy now in use.and the new dualled section expected to be complete in summer 2017.”

In order to ensure the safety of both road workers and road users we will need to introduce traffic management arrangements over the next few months for the ground investigation works. Road users and local communities will be kept informed of our plans and we will endeavour to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.