Transport Scotland is set to award two contracts worth £2.2m for preparatory works ahead of the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project.
Inverness-based AOC Holdings Ltd is the successful tenderer for an archaeology contract worth approximately £650,000 while Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd is the successful tenderer following the competition for approximately £1.5m of enabling works near Tomatin Distillery.
Transport Scotland said the contracts utilise its existing A9 Advance Works Framework.
Minister for transport Graeme Dey said the announcement ‘shows significant progress on the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project’.
He added: ‘And I’m delighted to note, that even at this early stage of the project, a local business has secured a contract for these preliminary works and is already set to benefit from this major infrastructure investment in the Highland economy.
‘These advance works, in preparation for the main construction contract to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy, offer attractive contract opportunities for small and medium enterprises and will help reduce the risk of delays to the construction programme, whilst also reducing the impact of the future dualling works on local businesses and residents.’
Mr Dey visited the area last month to view rail bridge replacement works at Lynebeg
Transport Scotland said it is anticipated that AOC Holdings will begin excavation of key areas of land within the project boundary in February and carry out detailed earthwork and landscape surveys, including a programme of trial trenching, followed by post-excavation assessment and reporting.
The works near the Tomatin Distillery include widening of the existing C1121 Tomatin to Kylachy Road, south of the Distillery, and the construction of a new access road to the Distillery.
The new access road will eventually link to the A9 grade-separated Tomatin Junction once constructed under the future dualling works.
The Tomatin Distillery contract also includes the replacement of an existing footbridge over the Allt na Frithe with a new pedestrian footbridge. Works are expected to begin on site in early 2022.
Transport Scotland said it anticipates that the construction contract for the main A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project will be awarded in the second half of 2022.
