The Scottish Government has hailed the publication of Made Orders for a further stretch of its A9 dualling programme as showing its commitment to progressing the programme, but the contract for the work is not due to be awarded this decade.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said that with Made Orders for two more sections expected in the coming months, the publication of orders for the section between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry showed the devolved administration’s determination to dual the whole of the A9 between Perth and Inverness by the end of 2035.
The SNP government initially pledged to complete the programme by 2025 but the section between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry is one of three where a contract award is due in 2030 and dualling operational in 2035.
Ms Hyslop said: ‘As we progressed the design work for the section of the route between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry, we were well aware of the sensitivities around the important, historic battlefield at Killecrankie.
‘Transport Scotland engaged extensively with the local community and key stakeholders throughout the design and made a number of design refinements to reduce land take on the battlefield site following feedback from Historic Environment Scotland and the local community.’
She added: ‘As well as the forthcoming publication of Made Orders for both the Crubenmore to Kincraig and Dalraddy to Slochd sections of the A9, we have already met the first milestones laid out in our delivery plan with the shortlist of three bidders for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig contract and award of the contract to Balfour Beatty for the Tomatin to Moy project.
‘Whilst the magnitude and complexities of this work are considerable, there will be no let up on progressing the dualling programme which will bring many benefits.’
Last week, Transport Scotland revealed in an update on major capital projects in its 2021-26 Infrastructure Investment Plan that the total forecast cost for the Tomatin to Moy section has risen from £254m to £308m following the award of a construction contract worth £184.7m to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd in July.
Officials linked the rise to ‘inflationary effects and the cost of the change in contract strategy following the decision not to make an award under the previous procurement’.
Balfour Beatty was also on a shortlist of bidder announced in August for the contract to upgrade approximately five miles of the route between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig (pictured), along with Wills Bros Civil Engineering and John Graham Construction.
The value of the construction contract cost is estimated at £155m and the total project cost at £222m at April 2023 prices.
Ms Hyslop will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of Road Expo and Bridges Scotland next month.
