Transport chiefs have struck a £1.5 million deal for the next stage of ambitious plans to dual one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads.
Crucial ground investigation work on the A9 in Highland Perthshire is due to get going this month.
Investigations will be carried out in two phases – from Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie and Dalwhinnie to Crubenmore – over a 12 week period, with a break over Christmas and New year.
The scheme is part of the Scottish Government’s £3 billion bid to upgrade of 80 miles of single carriageway between Perth and Inverness by 2025.
A ground investigation contract for the next two phases has been awarded to Raeburn Drilling and Geotechnical Ltd.
Drivers on the route have been warned that traffic management arrangements would be put in place over the next few months as the work is carried out.
Economy Secretary 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.”
A series of public engagement events are planned throughout this month on the project.
Options for the Glen Garry to Dalwhinnie section will be on display at Dalwhinnie village hall on Wednesday, November 23 from 12pm to 7pm.
The exhibition goes to Blair Atholl village hall the day after and Killiecrankie village hall on Friday, November 25 from 10am to 4pm.
