Procurement is underway for the next section of the Scottish Government’s A9 Dualling Programme.

The Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the construction contract for the 9.5km section between Luncarty to Birnam has been published today with work to deliver this £100 million scheme expected to start by the end of this year. A Contract Notice is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Design work also continues apace across the rest of the route between Perth and Inverness with a series of exhibitions starting today. The public are invited to view the preferred routes for the 24 km Dalraddy to Slochd and the 16 km Crubenmore to Kincraig schemes - a further 40 km of the A9 dualling programme.

Work is also underway to identify contractors to carry out a series of advanced works across the entire route in preparation for future construction. These opportunities are expected to be of particular interest to small to medium sized businesses including those based locally who would like to be part of this innovative and ambitious programme.

Economy secretary Keith Brown welcomed the significant progress made across the A9 Dualling programme saying: “The range of activity and work underway to deliver the A9 Dualling Programme is tangible evidence of our commitment to upgrade this important road linking central Scotland to the Highlands and Islands.

“We remain on schedule to open the 7.5km stretch of upgraded road between Kincraig and Dalraddy this summer, bringing huge benefits to motorists using the A9.

“Further progress today also sees the publication of the Prior Information Notice for the next section to be dualled between Luncarty and Pass of Birnam, marking the first steps in the appointment of a construction contractor to deliver this important scheme.

“And I am also delighted to see rapid progress being made to identify the preferred route for the entire programme. With two more sections of road totalling 40 km identified, over 90 per cent of the dualling programme has now reached preferred route status. I would encourage locals and road users to visit the exhibitions to view our plans.

“We are making significant strides and remain on target to deliver our ambitious A9 Dualling Programme by 2025.”

Details of the public exhibitions:

Dalraddy to Slochd project

Thursday 2 March, 12 noon to 8pm

Aviemore Community Centre, Muirton, Aviemore PH22 1SF

Friday 3 March, 12 noon to 8pm

Carrbridge Village Hall, Main Street, Carrbridge PH23 3BB

Crubenmore to Kincraig project

Wednesday 8 March, 12 noon to 8pm

Newtonmore Village Hall, Main Street, Newtonmore PH20 1DA

Thursday 9 March, 11am to 7pm

Talla Nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie, PH21 1HP