The shortlist of bidders for the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project has been announced after a second round of procurement.
The first procurement resulted in no bids and a review of the form of contract on offer.
Scottish Government transport minister Fiona Hyslop revealed the shortlisted contractors for the 9.6 km upgrade this week. They are:
- John Graham Construction Ltd
- Sacyr UK Ltd
- Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd
Ms Hyslop said: ‘Today’s announcement of the shortlisted contractors follows a significant change to the overall contract strategy for this project which uses a different contract form with a balanced share of risk between the contractor and Scottish ministers.
‘The dualling of the section between Tomatin to Moy will not only improve connectivity and safety for those using the route through the upgrading of the single carriageway, but will also include over 10km of improvements to active travel routes including new footpaths and greater connections to public transport.'
The works will also include:
- four new junctions and upgrading of an existing junction
- three new bridges, and replacement of the Moy Rail Bridge
- new active travel routes and enhanced lay-bys with connections to active travel facilities and public transport including new footpaths and new bus turning facilities at Tomatin.
Several preparatory works packages were completed in 2022 and 2023, to de-risk the main construction programme.
These included enabling works at Tomatin Distillery and Network Rail contracts to replace Lynebeg rail bridge and to divert undertrack culverts and an archaeological investigation.
These works have already provided upgraded active travel and pedestrian routes around Tomatin Distillery, and a series of educational engagement sessions with schools on archaeology and have created an ecological pond to benefit a rare sub-species of Caddisfly.
Transport Scotland said the current timetable anticipates an award of the construction contract in early Summer 2024.
