Jacobs Engineering Group has been awarded a contract from Transport Scotland to provide multi-disciplinary consultancy services for the A9.
The project involves upgrades to the road, which runs from central Scotland to the far north coast, and converting it to a divided highway between Perth and Inverness, one of the busiest sections of the route.
This is the second of three design contracts awarded for the project; covering 27 miles to be dualled and five miles of existing dual carriageway between the Pass of Birnam and Glen Garry. The Scottish government estimates the value for each of the three contracts to be £40 to £60 million. The overall construction value for the full 110 mile-long program, of which 80 miles requires dualling, is estimated at £3 billion.
Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs’ scope of services includes engineering design; statutory procedures; procurement and construction supervision; environmental impact assessment; data management; as well as landowner consultation, and stakeholder and community engagement.
Jacobs Group vice president Bob Duff said: “We are delighted to receive this contract and are pleased to continue our support of Transport Scotland’s goal to improve the A9’s safety and performance. By working closely with stakeholders – particularly local communities, businesses and the National Park – we are committed to delivering high quality infrastructure that is built in consideration of the surrounding landscape and that creates a positive legacy for the future.”
Design principles for the A9 program were developed through the preliminary engineering services commission awarded to Jacobs in September 2012. The project encompasses key features such as crossings over the River Tay, and roadway that runs through National Scenic Areas: the Cairngorm National Park and the Killiecrankie Battlefield.
The overall A9 programme is scheduled for completion by 2025 and is anticipated to benefit road users, communities and businesses along the route.
